title: Midterm results of endovascular treatment of superficial femoral artery disease with biodegradable stents: single-center experience.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the midterm efficacy of a biodegradable poly-l-lactic acid (PLLA) stent in the treatment of superficial femoral artery (SFA) occlusive disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between June 2009 and April 2011, 35 de novo SFA lesions were treated with 43 biodegradable stents. This nonrandomized, retrospective, single-center study included patients with moderate or severe claudication, lower-limb rest pain, or ischemic ulceration restricted to the toes; symptoms were classified as Rutherford category 2 (48.6%), 3 (37.1%), 4 (8.6%), or 5 (5.7%). The population included 28 men and had a mean age of 71 years (range, 51-81 y). Follow-up included clinical examination and color-flow duplex imaging. Mean follow-up was 38.3 months (range, 30-58 mo).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Technical success was reported in all patients (100%). There were no intraoperative or immediate (< 30 d) complications.. During follow-up, one in-stent occlusion and seven in-stent restenoses occurred, all of which were successfully treated with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. Primary and secondary patency rates were 77.1% and 97.1% at 24 and 36 months, respectively. No stent recoil or stent fracture was encountered. Late follow-up (> 12 mo) by ultrasound confirmed total reabsorption of the stent structures. Clinical improvement (ie, an upward shift of at least two Rutherford categories) was achieved in all 35 patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Midterm results for biodegradable PLLA stents for atherosclerotic SFA lesions were associated with high technical success and secondary patency rates, without stent recoil and vessel remodeling.
authors: Department of Vascular Surgery, Nuovo Ospedale Civile S. Agostino-Estense, Baggiovara, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Giardini 1355, 41100 Baggiovara (MO), Italy.
authors: Roberto
authors: R
authors: Silingardi
authors: Department of Vascular Surgery, Nuovo Ospedale Civile S. Agostino-Estense, Baggiovara, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Giardini 1355, 41100 Baggiovara (MO), Italy. Electronic address: antolau80@gmail.com.
authors: Antonio
authors: A
authors: Lauricella
authors: Department of Vascular Surgery, Nuovo Ospedale Civile S. Agostino-Estense, Baggiovara, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Giardini 1355, 41100 Baggiovara (MO), Italy.
authors: Giovanni
authors: G
authors: Coppi
authors: Department of Vascular Surgery, Nuovo Ospedale Civile S. Agostino-Estense, Baggiovara, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Giardini 1355, 41100 Baggiovara (MO), Italy.
authors: Emanuele
authors: E
authors: Nicolosi
authors: Department of Vascular Surgery, Nuovo Ospedale Civile S. Agostino-Estense, Baggiovara, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Giardini 1355, 41100 Baggiovara (MO), Italy.
authors: Stefano
authors: S
authors: Gennai
authors: Department of Vascular Surgery, Nuovo Ospedale Civile S. Agostino-Estense, Baggiovara, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Giardini 1355, 41100 Baggiovara (MO), Italy.
authors: Gioacchino
authors: G
authors: Coppi
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D057510:Endovascular Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015607:Stents; D014463:Ultrasonography