INTERLOCKING STENTS FOR IMPROVING STENT FIXATION AT GRAFT-VENOUS ANASTOMOSIS

To lower the risk of stent migration in a graft-venous anastomosis ste nosis following failed percutaneous transluminal angioplasty, two Stre cker stents of different caliber were placed in partly overlapping fas hion across the stenosis. In contrast to other methods, stent ''floati ng'' on the venous side was eliminated by using a stent with a caliber matching the tapering postanastomotic vein and anchoring it to both t he venous wall and the second stent. Using this method we believe we a ccomplished better fixation of the stent placed mostly in the venous s ide of the anastomosis, thus lowering its risk of migration. At 6 mont hs follow-up the stents are in place and the anastomosis is patent.