Treatment of complex arteriosclerotic lesions with nitinol stents in the superficial femoral and popliteal arteries: a midterm follow-up.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effectiveness of nitinol stents in patients with short, complex lesions in the superficial femoral and popliteal arteries and to assess midterm results.


METHODS
Self-expandable nitinol stents were implanted in 54 extremities in 44 patients to treat complex stenoses (n = 32) and occlusions (n = 22) in the superficial femoral and popliteal arteries. Follow-up was performed for 5-51 months to evaluate early thrombosis and midterm patency rates. Midterm patency rates were compared between the following: stenoses and occlusions, proximal and distal locations, good and poor runoff, and diabetic patients and nondiabetic patients. All patients underwent clinical investigation and color Doppler sonography after 1 month and 6 months and at 6-month intervals thereafter. If restenosis or stent thrombosis was suspected, intraarterial digital subtraction angiography of the superficial and popliteal arteries was performed.


RESULTS
Percutaneous stent implantation was successful in all patients. The mean duration of follow-up was 27 months (range, 5-51 months). No thrombotic occlusion occurred within the first 4 weeks after stent implantation. The primary 3-year patency rate was 76%, and the secondary patency rate was 87%. Three-year primary patency rates were 65% for diabetic patients and 82% for nondiabetic patients.


CONCLUSIONS
In patients with short, complex stenoses and occlusions, implantation of nitinol stents may have a positive impact on midterm results.
Lugmayr
Herbert F
HF
Department of Radiology, General Hospital, Grieskirchnerstrasse 42, A-4600 Wels, Austria. lugmayr.hf@aon.at
Holzer
Hermann
H
Kastner
Manfred
M
Riedelsberger
Harald
H
Auterith
Alexandra
A
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000497:Alloys; D015901:Angiography, Digital Subtraction; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015993:Life Tables; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011150:Popliteal Artery; D015607:Stents; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color; D014654:Vascular Patency
D000497:Alloys; C013616:nitinol