[Treatment of arterial aneurysms of the pelvic leg vessels using dacron covered nitinol stents].

PURPOSE

To evaluate the success rates of the implantation of stent grafts in the treatment of peripheral aneurysms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In 13 patients with 15 aneurysms at the common iliac artery (n = 6), external iliac artery (n = 1), hypogastric artery (n = 2), femoral artery (n = 2) or popliteal artery (n = 4), implantation of dacron-covered nitinol stents was performed. The patients were followed up for three to 20 months (mean, 8.8 months) with intravenous digital subtraction angiography, CT or colour-coded Doppler sonography.

RESULTS

In all cases, the aneurysm was successfully occluded after stent implantation. In one case with a popliteal aneurysm, kinking of the vessel caused thrombosis of the stent. The stent was successfully reopened. The aneurysm however, had to be surgically treated 9 months later. The primary and secondary patency rates at 6 months were 93% and 100%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The method described might be an alternative therapy to surgery. There are some limitations in respect of treatment of popliteal aneurysms.