COMPLICATIONS OF ILIAC ARTERY STENT DEPLOYMENT

Purpose: This study was performed to determine the primary patency, fo ot salvage, and complication rates associated with iliac artery stent deployment. Methods: From March 1992 to May 1995, 147 iliac artery ste nts were deployed in 98 limbs of 72 patients for disabling claudicatio n or limb-threatening ischemia. Procedure-related and late (>30 days) complications, as well as adjunctive maneuvers required to correct a c omplication, were tabulated. Stented iliac artery cumulative primary p atency and foot salvage rates were calculated with life-table analysis . factors that impacted early complications, late complications, foot salvage rates, and stented iliac artery primary patency rates were ide ntified with stepwise logistic regression analysis. Results: A procedu re-related complication occurred in 19 (19.4%) limbs. Initial technica l success, however, was achieved in all but three of 98 limbs (96.9%). Stented iliac artery cumulative primary patency rates were 87.6%, 61. 9%, 55.3%, and foot salvage rates were 97.7%, 85.1%, 76.1%, at 12, 18, and 24 months, respectively. External iliac artery stent deployment, superficial femoral artery occlusion before treatment, and single-vess el tibial runoff before treatment negatively affected stented iliac ar tery cumulative primary patency rates. Stented iliac artery primary pa tency rates were not significantly affected by age, smoking, coronary artery disease, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, presenti ng symptom, early complication, number of stents deployed, type of ste nt deployed, or stent deployment for stenosis versus occlusion. Conclu sions: Limb-threatening and life-threatening complications can be asso ciated with iliac artery stent deployment. Stented iliac artery primar y patency rates are affected by distal atherosclerotic occlusive disea se and the position of the deployed stent within the iliac system. Ste nt reconstruction of severe iliac artery occlusive disease is feasible but should be thoughtfully selected.