title: Treatment of popliteal artery aneurysms with the Hemobahn stent-graft.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report a prospective study to ascertain the results of popliteal aneurysm treatment with a self-expanding stent-graft.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a recent 3-year period, 21 patients (18 men; median age 67 years, range 52-82) with 23 popliteal aneurysms were treated with Hemobahn stent-grafts. Follow-up evaluation included duplex scanning, ankle-brachial index (ABI) measurements, and radiographic examination of the knee. Outcome measures were occlusion of the stent-graft and limb loss.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Technical success in placing the stent-graft and excluding the aneurysm was 100%. An additional vascular intervention was performed in the same session in 5 (24%) cases. In the other 16 patients, local anesthesia was used in 10 (63%). During a median follow-up of 15 months (range 2-37), 5 (22%) of 23 stent-grafts occluded, resulting in a cumulative patency of 74%. All occlusions occurred within 6 months after the intervention; 2 were successfully recanalized, and none of the 3 patients with persisting occlusion required an amputation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study suggest that endovascular stent-graft repair of popliteal artery aneurysms is feasible. Midterm patency rates are lower compared to traditional surgical repair.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University Hospital Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Ignace F J
authors.initials: IF
authors.lastname: Tielliu
authors.forename: Eric L G
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Verhoeven
authors.forename: Ted R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Prins
authors.forename: Wendy J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Post
authors.forename: Robin G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Hulsebos
authors.forename: Jan J A M
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: van den Dungen
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000783:Aneurysm / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011150:Popliteal Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D015607:Stents; D016896:Treatment Outcome