SIGNIFICANCE OF TISSUE-COVERED SELF-EXPANDING STENTS IN ILIAC ARTERY OCCLUSIONS OR ANEURYSMS - PRELIMINARY AND LONG-TERM RESULTS

Purpose: The objective of this study was to analyze the primary and lo ng-term results of implanting self expanding covered nitinol stents (E ndoPro I) in iliac arteries. Material and Methods: A total of 48 EndoP ro (length 8.3+/-4.2 cm) were implanted in 39 patients. In 22 cases (g roup A) the implantation was performed after excimer laser assisted re canalization (PTLA) of long iliac occlusions (mean 9.8+/-3.9 cm). Othe r indications were aneurysmatic lesions (n = 16) and one arterial perf oration (group B). Results: In 21 of 22 patients of group A the patenc y of the blood vessel was successfully restored. In all cases of group B the aneurysmatic lesions were finally excluded. This was correlated with a clinical improvement of at least one grade (Rutherford criteri a) in 86.4% of patients (group A). The primary patency rate based on c linical examination (treadmill test) and color-coded Doppler was evalu ated at 6 (89.7%), 12 (87.1%), and 24 (84.2%) months follow up, respec tively. Subacute thromboses occurred in two, relevant restenoses in th ree cases (group A). In three of these 5 cases the vessel segment was successfully reopened by PTLA or rt-PA thrombolysis, leading to second ary patency rates of 94.9% at 6 and 92.1% at 12 and 24 months, respect ively. Conclusion: In cases of relevant dissection following PTLA of l ong pelvic artery occlusions implantation of covered stents is effecti ve to stabilize the results. Furthermore, the device is well applicabl e to seal arterial ruptures or aneurysms.