ULCERATED PLAQUES AND FOCAL ANEURYSMS OF ILIAC ARTERIES - TREATMENT WITH NONCOVERED, SELF-EXPANDING STENTS

OBJECTIVE. We studied the value of noncovered, self-expanding stents f or treatment of ulcerated plaques and focal aneurysms of iliac arterie s. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Seventeen patients with ulcerated plaques (n = 13) and aneurysms (n = 5) were treated with noncovered, self-expand ing Wallstent endoprostheses. A total of 18 lesions were stented. The lesions were in the common iliac artery (n = 10), the external iliac a rtery (n = 3), or affected parts of both arteries (n = 5). Their mean length was 3.5 +/- 1.0 cm. All lesions were accompanied by stenosis of the affected arterial segment. RESULTS. Occlusion of ulcerations or a neurysms occurred immediately in three cases and thereafter in the rem aining 15 cases, as shown by angiographic follow-up. Embolization did not occur. Follow-up revealed a 4-year cumulative patency of 82%, with reobstruction of the stent in three cases. CONCLUSION. Noncovered ste nts are a rational approach to treating circumscribed aneurysms and ul cerated plaques of the iliac arteries. The stent regularly smoothens t he vessel wall by sealing the ulcerated area or aneurysm immediately o r soon after stent placement.