Objective    To assess the efficacy and safety of angioplasty and stent implantation in the treatment of lower limb atherosclerosis obliterans.     Methods    A total of 20 patients (34 lesions) with intermittent claudication and rest pain due to lower limb atherosclerosis obliterans were treated by angioplasty and stent implantation in our department from December 2007 to December 2008.  There were 18 cases of occlusion in iliac artery

12 cases in femoral popliteal artery and 4 cases in inferior genicular artery. Balloon angioplasty was firstly carried out for the iliac artery and femoral popliteal artery lesions carried out

and stent implantation was performed if there was mezzanine or residual stenosis 30%. For inferior genicular artery lesions

only balloon angioplasty were carried out. All patients were followed up for 6 months and 12 months to assess of restenosis and clinical efficacy.     Results    All the patients’ therapy was successful

their clinical symptoms were improved or disappeared. The 6-month follow-up showed that restenosis rates were 5.5%

16.7% and 25% respectively in the iliac artery

femoral popliteal artery

and inferior genicular artery. The rates in 12-month follow-up were 11.1%

33.3%

and 75% correspondingly.     Conclusion    Angioplasty and stent implantation are safe and effective in treatment of lower limb atherosclerosis obliterans. Standardized postoperative anti-platelet

anticoagulant

and anti-lipid therapy is essential to maintain blood vessel recanalization. 