The utility of endovascular stents in the treatment of blunt arterial injuries

Background: The objective of this review is to evaluate our institutional e xperience with percutaneousIy placed vascular stents in multiply injured pa tients with blunt arterial injuries. Methods: Patients were identified through our trauma registry from 9/95 thr ough 12/99. All injuries were diagnosed by angiography. Palmaz and Wallsten t prostheses were used. Results: Six patients had blunt arterial injuries. Age ranged from 20 to 67 years (average, 45). Each patient had one or more stents placed. There wer e no immediate complications related to stent placement. There were no deat hs or complications attributable to stent placement. All of the patients su rvived to leave the hospital. Follow-up ranged from 1 month to 2 years with no occlusion, stenosis, or stent malfunction. Conclusion: The use of interventional angiography and endovascular stenting is safe and efficacious in treating arterial injuries in certain circumsta nces.