Stent placement for treatment of mesenteric artery stenoses or occlusions

PURPOSE: To evaluate stent placement in the treatment of mesenteric ischemi a. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twelve patients (eight women, four men; mean age, 63 years) with chronic mesenteric ischemia underwent stent placement for steno ses or occlusions during a 5.5-year period, Nine patients with 10 stenoses (three celiac arteries, seven superior mesenteric arteries) and three patie nts with three chronic occlusions (two superior mesenteric arteries, one ao rto-superior mesenteric artery bypass graft) were treated. RESULTS: Initial technical success was achieved in 11 of the 12 patients (9 2%), including all three patients with chronic occlusions, There were no te chnical complications, There was one postprocedural death (<30 days) due to bowel ischemia and infarction, despite a technically successful procedure, Clinical follow-up was available in all 12 patients, with a mean follow-up of 15.7 months (range, 0-38.5 months), Primary and primary-assisted patenc y up to 18 months was 74% (standard error [SE], 13%) and 83% (SE, 11%), res pectively, Secondary patency was 83% (SE, 11%) at 3 years, All three patien ts (100%) with chronic occlusions had relief of clinical signs and symptoms at a mean follow-up of 22 months (range, 13-38.5 months). CONCLUSIONS: Stent placement is safe and clinically effective as an adjunct ive therapy to angioplasty or as a primary method of treatment for chronic mesenteric ischemia in patients with focal visceral artery stenoses or occl usions.