title: [Subintimal arterial flossing with antegrade-retrograde intervention technique to treat long-segment occlusion of peripheral artery].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To discuss the technique details of subintimal arterial flossing with antegrade-retrograde intervention (SAFARI) to improve technical success in the treatment of chronic total occlusions (CTO) diseases in lower extremity when there is failure to reenter the distal true lumen.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between May 2009 and Aug 2010, 15 patients underwent endovascular recanalization with SAFARI technique. There were 8 male and 7 female patients with a mean age of 74.9 years. There were 3 patients with severe claudication (Rutherford category 3) and 12 patients with critical limb ischemia (Rutherford category 4 to 6). The clinical and follow-up data of these patients were analyzed retrospectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fourteen patients were treated with SAFARI technique successfully. The technique success rates were 93.3%. The mean ankle brachial index increased from 0.39 to 0.83.Symptoms were relieved in 86.6% patients, Ulcer were healed in 93.3%patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SAFARI technique is a safe and effective method in treating CTO diseases, when it is failure to renter the distal true lumen with subintimal angioplasty technique.
authors: Department of Vascular Surgery, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200001, China.
authors: Meng
authors: M
authors: Ye
authors: Ya-xue
authors: YX
authors: Shi
authors: Yi-ping
authors: YP
authors: Zhao
authors: Xiao-zhong
authors: XZ
authors: Huang
authors: Wei
authors: W
authors: Liang
authors: Hao
authors: H
authors: Zhang
authors: Zhao-xiong
authors: ZX
authors: Zhou
authors: Ji-wei
authors: JW
authors: Zhang