The natural history of penetrating ulcers of the iliac arteries

PUIA are generally slow-growing and are found incidentally. Most patients with PUIA were in their eighth decade with a history of hypertension and tobacco use. Patients with PUIA frequently have concurrent aortic aneurysm disease that requires intervention. The mortality for this population was high, but was not caused by rupture of a PUIA. Diameter changes noted in the PUIA during follow-up did not suggest ulcer treatment would improve survival.