Cragg covered stents in hemodialysis access: initial and midterm results.
OBJECTIVE
To report midterm follow-up after implantation of covered stents for hemodialysis access.


METHODS
Over a 2-year period, a Cragg Endopro stent was placed in 14 patients (mean age, 66.6 years +/- 15) to treat angioplasty-induced ruptures (n = 3), pseudoaneurysm (n = 1), postangioplasty residual stenosis (n = 2), and early restenosis (n = 8, four of them in a Wallstent).


RESULTS
Initial placement was successful in all cases. A clinical inflammatory reaction was observed in all three cases of placement in the forearm. When the covered stent was placed in a stenotic vessel, restenosis always occurred within 6 months. Primary and secondary patencies were 28.5% +/- 13.9 and 67.8% +/- 14.5, respectively, at 6 months. Covered stents were of undoubtable benefit in one case of rupture after Wallstent failure and in one case of restenosis in a Wallstent.


CONCLUSIONS
Covered Cragg stents are effective in controlling angioplasty- induced rupture and sometimes for maintaining patency after restenosis in a Wallstent. They do not prevent restenosis and are responsible for an inflammatory reaction of unknown origin and long-term effect.
Sapoval
M R
MR
Department of Cardiovascular Radiology, Hôspital Broussais, Paris, France.
Turmel-Rodrigues
L A
LA
Raynaud
A C
AC
Bourquelot
P
P
Rodrigue
H
H
Gaux
J C
JC
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000792:Angiography; D001166:Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005260:Female; D006083:Graft Occlusion, Vascular / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D012086:Reoperation; D015607:Stents; D013499:Surface Properties