True statements about percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) of peripheral vascular lesions include which of the following?

A. PTA of iliac lesions is more often successful than PTA of femoral artery lesions

C. PTA of infrapopliteal occlusive disease is associated with an increased rate of vasospasm, which can cause thrombosis.

D. A short, singular arterial stenosis is the optimal situation for a successful angioplasty. 

DISCUSSION: Clinical results using PTA to treat occlusive vascular disease of the lower extremities depend on the morphologic nature of the obstruction as well as the anatomic location. PTA of iliac lesions is technically successful in approximately 90% of patients with 3-year patency rates of approximately 80%. PTA of superficial femoral artery lesions is technically successful in 75% to 85% of patients with 3-year patency rates of approximately 60% to 70%. PTA of infrapopliteal vessels is associated with increased risk of vasospasm, which can cause thrombosis. Improvements in the technique and pharmacologic treatment of vasospasm have reduced the risk of vessel thrombosis to less than 10%. Although some series have reported PTA of infrapopliteal lesions in patients with claudication, most authors recommend treating only patients with threatened limbs. Ideal patients for PTA are those with stenotic lesions less than 5 cm. long; the best results occur in the shortest lesions. Although total occlusions and multiple stenoses have been treated successfully, there are fewer technical successes, and long-term patency rates are substantially lower than in the treatment of stenotic lesions.