VS13P SUPERFICIAL FEMORAL ARTERY STENTING: RISK OF RESTENOSIS AND REOCCLUSION

Abstract

Purpose: Stenting is a widely practiced procedure for treating occlusive lesions of the superficial femoral artery (SFA). The objective of this study was to assess the rate of restenosis/reocclusion and the rate of re‐intervention following SFA stenting.Methodology: A retrospective study of 159 patients with 199 SFA lesions was carried out. During a three year period all 159 patients underwent SFA stenting procedures. Data from regular postoperative duplex ultrasound surveillance were used to establish the rate of restenosis at any given time after the procedure. Ultrasound reports identified restenosis at the stent sites as either 50–75%, >75% or totally occluded. Post procedural ultrasound studies were performed at 1 month, 6 months, at 1 year and yearly thereafter.Results: The restenosis rate was 21.1% at 12 months. It includes all in stent restenoses over 50% to a complete occlusion of the stented artery. At 24 months the restenosis rate increased to 25%. Despite the increasing restenosis rate the incidence of complete occlusion following SFA stenting appeared to decrease after one year. To maintain patency of the previously stented arteries re‐intervention was necessary up to 34% of the treated legs.Conclusions: Our data confirm that stenting procedures on the SFA carry a relatively high incidence of restenosis. With the development of new stent designs further improvement can be expected.