[The value of a fabric-coated self-expanding stent in iliac arterial occlusions or aneurysms--the primary and long-term results].

PURPOSE

The objective of this study was to analyze the primary and long-term results of implanting self-expanding covered nitinol stents (EndoPro I) in iliac arteries.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 48 EndoPro (length 8.3 +/- 4.2 cm) were implanted in 39 patients. In 22 cases (group A) the implantation was performed after excimer laser-assisted recanalization (PTLA) of long iliac occlusions (mean 9.8 +/- 3.9 cm). Other indications were aneurysmatic lesions (n = 16) and one arterial perforation (group B).

RESULTS

In 21 of 22 patients of group A the patency of the blood vessel was successfully restored. In all cases of group B the aneurysmatic lesions were finally excluded. This was correlated with a clinical improvement of at least one grade (Rutherford criteria) in 86.4% of patients (group A). The primary patency rate based on clinical examination (treadmill test) and color-coded Doppler was evaluated at 6 (89.7%), 12 (87.1%), and 24 (84.2%) months follows up, respectively. Subacute thromboses occurred in two, relevant restenoses in three cases (group A). In three of these 5 cases the vessel segment was successfully reopened by PTLA or rt-PA thrombolysis, leading to secondary patency rates of 94.9% at 6 and 92.1% at 12 and 24 months, respectively.

CONCLUSION

In cases of relevant dissection following PTLA of long pelvic artery occlusions implantation of covered stents is effective to stabilize the results. Furthermore, the device is well applicable to seal arterial ruptures or aneurysms.