The incidence of arterial stent fractures with exclusion of coronary, aortic, and non-arterial settings.
BACKGROUND
This study aimed to review the literature regarding fracture of arterial stents, especially its relation to location of placement, clinical relevance, and type of stents.


METHODS
We searched published articles in PubMed up to February 2008 by using the terms: stent fracture or stent breakage.


RESULTS
Thirty-one articles met our inclusion and exclusion criteria. Most of the studies reported fractures in stents placed in the superficial femoral artery or popliteal arteries. The cumulative incidence of stent fractures ranged from 2% to 65%, i.e. 0.6 to 60 per 1000 person-months. Stent fractures occur more frequently in the superficial femoral artery and are common when multiple stents are deployed and overlap. Stent fractures are associated with a higher risk of in-stent restenosis and re-occlusion.


CONCLUSIONS
The incidence of stent fracture, its location of placement, and type of stent used were diverse across studies. Stent fracture may cause clinical deterioration especially in the femoropopliteal segment, and it should be detected before clinical manifestation appears. Further studies with larger study population involving new type of stents for a longer follow up period are warranted.
Rits
J
J
Department of Vascular Surgery, P. Stradins Clinical University Hospital, Riga, Latvia. jurits@one.lv
van Herwaarden
J A
JA
Jahrome
A K
AK
Krievins
D
D
Moll
F L
FL
D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D005263:Femoral Artery; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D012008:Recurrence; D015607:Stents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*