title: Bifurcated endoprosthesis for treatment of aortoiliac occlusive lesions.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report our initial experience with a bifurcated endoprosthesis in the management of aortoiliac occlusive disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  From May 2001 to February 2004, 112 patients were referred to our institution for the management of aortoiliac disease. Among these, 5 (6%) patients (3 men; mean age 57.8 years) with severe ischemia owing to TASC C or D iliac occlusions were selected for endovascular treatment with a bifurcated stent-graft. An Excluder stent-graft was placed after preliminary recanalization (thrombolysis and/or balloon dilation) the day before. The patients were followed clinically and ultrasonographically every 3 months during the first year and semiannually thereafter.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Technical success was achieved in all patients. Endovascular aortoiliac bifurcation reconstruction restored iliac artery flow immediately in all cases. There were no procedure-related complications. The mean ankle-brachial index (ABI) was significantly improved, from 0.66+/-0.04 before the procedure to 0.94+/-0.06 immediately after the procedure (p<0.01). The aortoiliac reconstructions remained patent during the mean 17-month follow-up (range 3-36), and the ABIs were stable. There was no mortality or amputation required in this series.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Endovascular placement of a bifurcated stent-graft appears to be technically feasible, effective, and safe in the management of aortoiliac occlusive disease.
authors.affiliation: Hospiten Rambla, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria University, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maynar
authors.forename: Tobias
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Zander
authors.forename: Zhong
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Qian
authors.forename: Roman
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rostagno
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Llorens
authors.forename: Ignacio
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Zerolo
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kirsch
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sorrells
authors.forename: Wilfrido R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Castañeda
mesh_terms: D000800:Angioplasty, Balloon / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal; D001027:Aortography; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007083:Iliac Artery; D008297:Male; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014654:Vascular Patency