Leriche Syndrome: Treatment with Streptokinase and Angioplasty

Total occlusion of the lower abdominal aorta causing marked reduction of the blood supply to the pelvis and legs has been labeled Leriche syndrome. The occlusion is usually due to atherosclerotic plaques in the aorta with associated thrombus. This condition is usually treated by bypass grafts from the abdominal aorta to the common femoral arteries or by endarterectomy. Streptokinase infusion and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) make it possible to treat this condition without surgery. claudication when walking more than about 7.5 m. The pulses were not palpable in the femoral regions or distally. Pulse volume record- ings (PVR) demonstrated a 60 mm Hg reduction of the systolic pressure in the right thigh compared with the arm and a 70 mm Hg drop on the left (our laboratory considers a 30 mm Hg drop to be total occlusion) and flattening of the perfusion curves bilaterally. The left common femoral artery was catheterized by the "blind" femoral