title: Clinical Outcome of Isolated Popliteal Artery Aneurysms Treated with a Heparin-bonded Stent Graft.
abstract: The use of self-expanding stent grafts for treatment of popliteal artery aneurysms (PAA) is a matter of debate, although several studies have shown similar results compared with open surgery. In recent years, a new generation stent graft, with heparin-bonding technology, became available. The aim of this study is to present the results of endovascular PAA repair with heparin-bonded stent grafts.
  
  
  
  Data on all patients with PAA treated with a heparin-bonded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) stent graft between April 2009 and March 2014 were gathered in a database and retrospectively analyzed. Data were collected from four participating hospitals. Standard follow-up consisted of clinical assessment, and duplex ultrasound at 6 weeks, 6 months, 12 months, and annually thereafter. The primary endpoint of the study was primary patency. Secondary endpoints were primary-assisted and secondary patency and limb salvage rate.
  
  
  
  A total of 72 PAA was treated in 70 patients. Mean age was 71.2 ± 8.5 years and 93% were male (n = 65). The majority of PAA were asymptomatic (78%). Sixteen cases (22%) had a symptomatic PAA, of which seven (44%) presented with acute ischemia. Early postoperative complications occurred in two patients (3%). Median follow-up was 13 months (range 0-63 months). Primary patency rate at 1 year was 83% and after 3 years 69%; primary assisted patency rate was 87% at 1 year and 74% after 3 years. Secondary patency rate was 88% and 76% at 1 and 3 years, respectively. There were no amputations during follow-up.
  
  
  
  Endovascular treatment of PAA with heparin-bonded stent grafts is a safe treatment option with good early and mid-term patency rates comparable with open repair using the great saphenous vein.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Rijnstate Hospital, Arnhem, The Netherlands; Department of Surgery, Division of Vascular Surgery, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Golchehr
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Division of Vascular Surgery, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: I F J
authors.initials: IF
authors.lastname: Tielliu
authors.affiliation: Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Paracelsus Medical University, Klinikum Nuremberg Süd, Nuremberg, Germany.
authors.forename: E L G
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Verhoeven
authors.affiliation: Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Paracelsus Medical University, Klinikum Nuremberg Süd, Nuremberg, Germany.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Möllenhoff
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiac, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, University of Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Antonello
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Division of Vascular Surgery, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Zeebregts
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Rijnstate Hospital, Arnhem, The Netherlands. Electronic address: mmpj.reijnen@gmail.com.
authors.forename: M M P J
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Reijnen
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D054855:Drug-Eluting Stents; D005260:Female; D006493:Heparin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011150:Popliteal Artery / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D058017:Vascular Grafting / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D014654:Vascular Patency
chemical_list: D006493:Heparin
keywords: Endovascular; Popliteal artery aneurysm; Stent graft; Viabahn