title: Preliminary observations on the use of the Palmaz stent in the distal portion of the abdominal aorta.
abstract: The opportunities to avoid surgical treatment of distal abdominal aortic occlusive disease are expanding because of the proliferation in catheter-based techniques. Since January 1990, 24 symptomatic patients with distal abdominal disorders have been treated percutaneously with balloon angioplasty and intraluminal stenting. A total of 38 Palmaz stents were deployed at distal abdominal aortic sites; 21 additional iliac stents were implanted. After the procedure all patients improved clinically, and 83% (21/24) improved by objective measurement (average ABI 0.93 +/- 0.21). Three access-related complications occurred (two hematomas, one thrombus), but no complications were related to the stents. At up to 29 months of follow-up (average 10.3 +/- 6.7 months), clinical improvement persists in all patients (average ABI 0.93 +/- 0.22). In 11 patients eligible for follow-up aortography, all aortic stents are patent without evidence of restenosis. With the low likelihood for restenosis in the abdominal aorta, the long-term outcome of aortic stenting looks promising and may equal or surpass that found in the iliac region.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Arizona Heart Institute & Foundation, Phoenix 85064.
authors.forename: E B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Diethrich
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Santiago
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gustafson
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Heuser
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D002404:Catheterization; D004867:Equipment Design; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D015607:Stents; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography