LONG ILIAC STENOSIS - INITIAL CLINICAL-EXPERIENCE WITH THE CRAGG ENDOLUMINAL GRAFT

PURPOSE: To determine the feasibility of use of a self-expanding nitin ol stent covered with polyester fabric in long iliac stenoses. MATERIA LS AND METHODS: In 10 patients with 12 iliac artery stenoses (6-10 cm long [mean, 7.5 cm]), a Cragg endoluminal graft was placed percutaneou sly after failure of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. RESULTS: A t angiography after implantation of 15 Cragg endoluminal grafts, paten cy was restored and the dissection flap was eliminated without any res idual stenosis in all cases. At 1-13-month follow-up (mean, 7 months), eight patients were asymptomatic, with a mean ankle-brachial index of 0.90 +/- 0.15 (standard deviation). Arterial rupture occurred in one patient, with thrombosis of the artery with the stent within 1 day. In one patient tight restenosis was seen at the proximal part of the ste nt. In another patient, moderate restenosis was seen at the distal jun ction of the prosthesis with the native artery, but restenosis did not occur within the stent. The 6-month primary patency rate of the stent graft was 80%. CONCLUSION: In long iliac artery stenoses, the deploym ent of the Cragg endoluminal graft is feasible and no short-term compl ications were seen.