We report the long-term results of abdominal aortic stenting in 24 pat
ients who underwent stenting for atherosclerotic occlusive disease (16
stenoses, B occlusions, and 2 ulcerative plaques). The occlusions wer
e treated initially with thrombolytic therapy and all lesions were bal
loon dilated. Indications for stenting were: residual gradient (n=10);
recoil (n=7); dissection (n=2); and atherosclerotic debris (n=5). Thi
rty-eight Palmaz stents were implanted in the aorta, and 21 were impla
nted in the common iliac (n=79) and external iliac (n=2) arteries. Tec
hnical and clinical success was 100%. Over a mean follow-up period of
48 months (range, 7 to 67 months), 2 patients died and 2 were lost to
follow-up. Two patients developed symptoms referable to the aorta (at
43 and 67 months), and each was managed successfully via an endovascul
ar approach. There was no in-stent restenosis. Life-table analysis sho
wed a 100% cumulative primary patency at 5 years. We conclude that ste
nting for abdominal aortic occlusive disease appears to offer long-ter
m patency slightly superior to that of classical surgical intervention
. Aortic stents also do not appear to be subject to restenosis. Fellow
-up in a larger patient cohort is needed to confirm these observations
.