[Results after placement of Memotherm stents in iliac and femoral arteries].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effectivity, safety and midterm patency rates of iliac and femoral stent placement with the Memotherm stent (Bard-Angiomed, Karlsruhe).


METHODS
In 41 patients (11 female, 30 male, mean age 63.9 years) 49 lesions were treated with 50 stents. Mean lesion length was 4.8 cm for 5 occlusions and 3.1 cm for 44 stenoses. Lesions were located in the common iliac (n = 31), the external iliac (n = 15), and the common femoral artery (n = 3). Patients were followed-up clinically, with ankle-brachial indices (ABI), and angiography. Angiographic patency rates (< or = 50% restenosis) were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method, ABIs were compared before and after therapy with the Wilcoxon test.


RESULTS
An immediate technical success was achieved in 48/49 lesions (98%, intention-to-treat). Visibility of the stent was poor. Four stent placement procedures were complicated by an advancement of the stent, which could not be corrected. A thrombosis of one stent during deployment had to be treated surgically. After a mean of 10.4 months (6-24) 33 lesions were followed-up with angiography. The primary angiographic patency rate was determined to be 89.9% after 9 months. An improvement of at least one Fontaine stage was observed in 85.4%. The mean ABI increased significantly from 0.64 to 0.84 after therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
The patency rate of the Memotherm stent is comparable to that of other stent systems. The poor visibility and the advancement of the stent during deployment requires further modifications.
Manke
C
C
Institut für Röntgendiagnostik, Klinikum der Universität Regensburg. chmanke@web.de
Hackethal
S
S
Müller-Hülsbeck
S
S
Djavidani
B
B
Heller
M
M
Link
J
J
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015901:Angiography, Digital Subtraction; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007083:Iliac Artery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015607:Stents / Q000009:adverse effects; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome