Initial experiences with percutaneous endovascular repair of popliteal artery lesions using a new PTFE stent-graft

Purpose: To report the percutaneous endovascular management of popliteal ar tery lesions with a new polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) stent-graft. Methods and Results: Three patients have undergone endovascular treatment i n the popliteal region owing to: (1) an iatrogenic false aneurysm with arte riovenous fistula, (2) entrapment syndrome, and (3) an isolated arterial an eurysm. In each case, arterial occlusion was treated initially with thrombo lysis. The underlying vascular lesions then were stented using the new Hemo bahn endograft, a nitinol stent covered internally with PTFE. Each percutan eous procedure was completed successfully without major complications. Duri ng early follow-up (6 to 7 months), no signs of intimal hyperplasia, occlus ion, or stent migration have been observed. Conclusions: Based on these early experiences, percutaneous treatment of st enotic and aneurysmal lesions in the popliteal artery using the Hemobahn en dograft appears feasible and effective. Further experience and longer follo w-up are required to evaluate this new prosthesis.