LOW-MOLECULAR-WEIGHT HEPARIN (REVIPARIN) REDUCES THE INCIDENCE OF FEMOROPOPLITEAL IN-STENT STENOSIS - PRELIMINARY-RESULTS OF AN ONGOING STUDY

Purpose: To examine the efficacy of the low-molecular-weight heparin, reviparin, for prevention of femoropopliteal stent restenosis. Methods : Forty-two patients who had implantation of flexible tantalum stents for the treatment of stenosis (n = 24) or occlusion (n = 18) of the fe moral (n = 27) or popliteal (pz = 15) arteries were included in this s tudy protocol. An intraarterial bolus of 5000 IU heparin was given bef ore percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA), and in the case of st ent implantation due to unsuccessful PTA, an additional dose of revipa rin (3500 anti-factor Xa IU) was given. Postprocedurally, 10,500 anti- factor Xa IU of reviparin were administered intravenously over 24 hr, followed by 3500 anti-factor Xa IU subcutaneously twice a day for 23 d ays. Oral aspirin (100 mg/day) was prescribed for the long term. Follo w-up criteria (maximum follow-up 37 months) were clinical symptoms, Do ppler ankle arm indices, color and duplex sonography, and angiography for suspicion of restenosis. Results: Early stent thromboses were not observed. Overall primary patency rate (PPR) was 88% +/- 6.0% (1 year) and 74% +/- 10.1% (2 years). Major hemorrhagic complications have not occurred. Conclusion: Reviparin administered in a high dose over a pe riod of 24 days is a safe medication regimen and provides excellent pa tency rates after stent implantation.