Purpose: Presentation of technique of cross-over stent implantation of Palm
az stents using a crossover sheath. Material and Methods: Between 1996 and
March 1997 72 patients presenting symptoms of peripheral artery disease rec
eived 136 Palmaz stents, which were implanted in a cross-over technique wit
h the aid of a cross-over sheath. Results: As indications for stent implant
ation occurred: occlusion (n = 14), recoil (n = 11), distinctive calcificat
ion (n = 32), recurring stenosis/occlusion (n = 32), perforation (n = 3), d
issection (n = 31), and aneurysmas (n = 2). The cross-over technique with t
he aid of a cross-over sheath was successful in all 136 cases. Within the f
irst 24 hours 3 acute reocclusions occurred (all femoral). For stents place
d in the iliac artery the primary patency rate was 93.3 % at 12 months and
for stents placed in the femoral artery 72.0 %. Furthermore, this technique
s allows for simultanous stenting of pelvic, femoral or lower leg arteries
(n = 17). By using this technique, stenting of the distal external iliacal
artery, common femoral artery (CFA) and proximal superficial femoral artery
becomes either possible for the first time or easier. Conclusion: If Palma
z stents with a length of 2-7.8 cm should be implanted in the cross-over te
chnique, the use of a cross-over sheath is recommended.