TREATMENT OF PERIPHERAL ANEURYSMS BY DACR ON-COVERED NITINOL STENTS

Purpose: To evaluate the success rates of the implantation of stent gr afts in the treatment of peripheral aneurysms. Materials and methods: In 13 patients with 15 aneurysms at the common iliac artery (n=6), ext ernal iliac artery (n=1), hypogastric artery (n=2), femoral artery (n= 2) or popliteal artery (n=4), implantation of dacron-covered nitinol s tents was performed. The patients were followed up for three to 20 mon ths (mean, 8.8 months) with intravenous digital subtraction angiograph y, CT or colour-coded Doppler sonography. Results: In all cases, the a neurysm was successfully occluded after stent implantation. In one cas e with a popliteal aneurysm, kinking of the vessel caused thrombosis o f the stent. The stent was successfully reopened. The aneurysm however , had to be surgically treated 9 months later. The primary and seconda ry patency rates at 6 months were 93% and 100%, respectively. Conclusi on: The method described might be an alternative therapy to surgery. T here are some limitations in respect of treatment of popliteal aneurys ms.