Use Of Balloon-expandable Stents Research Articles

Long-term outcomes of endovascular therapy for right subclavian artery occlusive lesions: A multi-center experience.

To review our multi-institutional experience with endovascular therapy for right subclavian artery occlusive disease and to evaluate the long-term outcomes. We retrospectively evaluated all patients with right subclavian artery stenosis and occlusive disease who underwent endovascular therapy between March 2014 and September 2022 at two institutions. Patient baseline demographics, lesion characteristics, treatment strategies, and in-hospital and follow-up outcomes were prospectively collected and retrospectively analyzed. Between March 2014 and September 2022, 73 patients underwent endovascular treatment at the two institutions. The dominant cause of lesions in this cohort was atherosclerosis. Three different types of lesions were summarized, and the corresponding endovascular strategies were performed. 66 patients (90.4%) underwent successful endovascular treatment, and 62 patients (84.9%) underwent balloon-expandable stent deployment. The mean perioperative in-hospital stay was 4.0days (range, 3-6days). Two patients died due to myocardial infarction, and one died of cerebral hemorrhage resulting from a traffic accident within 30days of the intervention. The median follow-up time was 31.6months (range, 12-96 months). No complications, including death, stroke, stent fractures, or migration, were noted in any patient during the follow-up period. The overall complication rate was 7/73 (9.6%), and 5/7 (6.9%) of the complications required reintervention. Endovascular treatment of right subclavian artery lesions is safe, effective, and technically achievable. The reasonable use of balloon-expandable stents can achieve satisfactory outcomes with accurate orientation and promising patency.

Treatment of pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysms and stenosis with balloon-expandable stents.

We describe our use of balloon-expandable stents in pulmonary arteries for a variety of indications. This is an endovascular technique that provides an alternative treatment option to treat some forms of complex pulmonary artery disease when standard surgical or other endovascular options are not possible. This case series describes the successful treatment of four patients with different pulmonary artery diseases. Indications for stent placement include multiple broad-necked pulmonary artery pseudoaneurysms, symptomatic malignant pulmonary artery narrowing and post-surgical iatrogenic pulmonary artery stenosis. No stent-related complication had been identified from 3 months to 4 years of follow-up. All surviving patients have experienced sustained symptomatic improvement.

Use of balloon-expandable stents to support the efficacy of ultra-low profile endografts in the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms with challenging iliac anatomy.

Use of balloon-expandable stents to support the efficacy of ultra-low profile endografts in the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms with challenging iliac anatomy.

Technical considerations, outcomes, and durability of inferior vena cava stenting.

Inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombosis is an uncommon condition but can cause devastating complications to those affected. Historically, this has been treated with an open surgical approach (with high morbidity) and with angioplasty in more recent years. Herein we describe technical aspects of stenting of the IVC in patients with recalcitrant chronic occlusive disease and evaluate its outcomes. We reviewed all the patients treated in an endovascular fashion for venous disease at our institution from 2005 to 2014 to identify and to include those with IVC stent placement in this study. Clinical characteristics, treatment details, and outcomes data were collected from medical records. Primary end points were technical success, symptom resolution, freedom from reintervention, and patency rate at follow-up. Twenty-eight patients (15 men) with a mean age of 48 ± 2.7 years underwent IVC stent placement for 16 occlusions (4 congenital) and 12 high-grade stenoses. Hypercoagulable state was noted in 14 patients, 7 of whom had malignant disease. A previously placed IVC filter was present in 13 patients. Median time from onset of symptoms to presentation was 81 months (3-480 months). Lytic therapy with tissue plasminogen activator (Alteplase) was performed in 12 patients for a median of 2 days (range, 1-3 days). Self-expanding stents (Wallstent; Boston Scientific, Natick, Mass) were used most commonly in the IVC (n = 22) with or without adjunctive use of balloon-expandable stents (Palmaz stent; Cordis, New Brunswick, NJ). Technical success was 100%. At median follow-up of 10 months (range, 0-56 months), thrombotic complications requiring reintervention occurred in four patients at 1, 4, 8, and 37 months. One patient died at 2 weeks secondary to underlying malignant disease. Freedom from reintervention, patency rate, and symptom-free survival rate at 2 years were 84%, 90%, and 80%. Endovascular stenting for chronic occlusive disease of the IVC is safe and effective in the midterm follow-up, with minimal morbidity. Reintervention rate is low, with excellent functional outcomes.

Complication rates using balloon-expandable and self-expanding stents for the treatment of intracranial atherosclerotic stenoses

Using balloon-expandable stents (BES) for treatment of intracranial stenoses, high inflation pressures and rigidity of the device are regarded as major drawbacks limiting feasibility and safety of the procedure. Self-expanding stents (SES) were developed to facilitate lesion access and to allow for less aggressive dilatation. We analyzed data of the INTRASTENT multicentric registry to assess whether self-expanding stents significantly reduced peri-interventional complication rates. Records of intracranial stent procedures were entered consecutively into the registry. Datasets were divided into two groups according to the type of stent used. For outcome measurement, we chose three categories: TIA/minor stroke [modified Rankin score (mRS) <2], disabling stroke, and patient death. Clinical outcome was compared between BES and SES. We analyzed types of adverse events occurring in each group in addition. Of 409 atherosclerotic lesions, 254 were treated with BES and 155 with SES. Technical success rates were 97.6% and 98.7%, respectively. Adverse event rates were 4.9%, 3.7%, and 0.8% for TIA/nondisabling stroke, disabling stroke, and death in the BES group compared with 5.3%, 6.0%, and 4.0% in the SES group. The differences were not statistically significant. We observed more perforator strokes after use of BES, but thromboembolic events occurred more often in the SES treatment group. Data of the INTRASTENT registry do not support the hypothesis that introduction of SES lowered the overall complication rate of intracranial stent procedures. There might be an advantage using self-expanding stents in vessel segments with important perforating arteries.

Low-pressure self-expandable luminal shield system: mechanical stabilization of high-risk coronary atherosclerotic lesions

The mechanical disruption of a thin-cap fibroatheroma by the use of balloon-expandable stents may potentially lead to the development of adverse periprocedural (no-reflow phenomenon) and long-term (stent thrombosis) clinical adverse events. It has been hypothesized that for this type of high-risk lesion, the use of ‘low radial force’ self-expandable stents specifically designed to provide suitable outward forces enabling proper vessel wall apposition and controlled luminal gain over time could be beneficial. In addition, it is believed that due to their intrinsic mechanical properties, the amount of injury elicited by the implantation of the device may be decreased, thus potentially reducing the amount of neointimal proliferation. In the setting of nonruptured lesions (so-called ‘vulnerable plaques’), necrotic core remodeling could be achieved resulting in thickening of the fibrous cap by a newly formed neointima (so-called ‘neo-cap’), thus potentially stabilizing a thin-cap fibroatheroma from future rupt...

Invited commentary

Invited commentary

Carotid Endarterectomy vs. Carotid Stenting: Fairly Comparable or Unfairly Compared?

Carotid revascularization with carotid endarterectomy (CEA) has been shown to be superior to medical therapy for stroke prevention in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients with moderate to severe stenosis who meet well defined medical and surgical selection criteria. The benefit of CEA is significantly higher in symptomatic compared to asymptomatic patients. Carotid artery stenting (CAS) has emerged as an alternative in patients who are considered high surgical-risk due to co-existent medical co-morbidities or anatomical high-risk features. Since its development in the early 1990’s, the technique of endovascular carotid revascularization has been undergoing a continuous maturation process mainly due to a change from the initial use of balloon expandable stents to self-expanding stents, the introduction of and continuously improving array of emboli prevention devices (EPD's) and last but not least increasing operator experience. This culminated in the randomized SAPPHIRE trial of protected CAS [i.e., CAS performed with EPD] vs. CEA in high surgical-risk patients, that showed that CAS was non-inferior to CEA with lower peri-procedural complication rates as well as lower rates of restenosis (Yadav et al., 2004). Furthermore, increased experience with this technique has led to the realization that just like with CEA, there are patients (e.g., older age, excessive vascular tortuosity or calcification) who are high-risk for CAS. (Chaturvedi et al., 2010).

Balloon expandable stents facilitate right renal artery reconstruction during complex open aortic aneurysm repair

Patients undergoing repair of thoracoabdominal (TAA) or visceral aortic segment aneurysms typically require reconstruction of the renal arteries. The use of balloon expandable stents (BES) has been proposed as an alternative to endarterectomy or bypass for renal artery reconstruction (RAR) during open aortic aneurysm repair. We report technical aspects and long-term patency data for this method of right RAR during complex open aortic aneurysm repair. During the interval July 1, 2005 to December 31, 2007, a total of 67 patients underwent right RAR using a BES during concomitant TAA (type I: n = 2 [2.9%], type II: n = 8 [11.9%], type III: n = 13 [19.4%], and type IV: n = 22 [32.8%]), juxtarenal (n = 9 [13.4%]) or suprarenal (n = 13 [19.4%]) AAA repair. Indications for RAR were orificial stenosis (n = 21 [31%]) and/or technical considerations referable to the proximal aortic suture line. Patency of the renal stent was evaluated in patients with computed tomography angiography using three-dimensional reconstruction or with abdominal duplex evaluation at follow-up. The mean patient age was 75.1 years, 54.4% were male, and 18% of operations were in nonelective circumstances. Twenty-seven (39%) out of 67 patients had a preoperative creatinine level > or = 1.4 mg/dL. Two patients (2.9%) developed permanent renal failure postoperatively (neither related to renal artery occlusion). Mean radiologic follow-up was 405 days (11-1281) with 98% stent patency noted. One patient had an early stent occlusion noted at 1 month. An additional patient was noted to have a nonflow-limiting dissection distal to the renal stent, and another was noted to have distal migration of the stent beyond the renal ostium; however, these findings were clinically silent. The use of BES during complex open aortic aneurysm repair affords a rapid and durable mode of RAR, obviating the need for endarterectomy and its associated technical complications.

Treatment of Celiac Artery Compression Syndrome: Does It Really Exist?

Celiac artery syndrome exists, although it remains controversial, and in some patients a firm diagnosis cannot be established. Duplex scanning or computed tomographic, magnetic resonance, or contrast aortography will confirm intermittent or permanent compression of the celiac artery by the crus of the diaphragm, the median arcuate ligament, or fibrous ganglionic tissue. Preoperative ganglion block and exercise gastric tonometry are useful diagnostic tools to predict better outcome after treatment. In patients with well-defined syndrome of chronic mesenteric and gastric ischemia or with exercise-induced pain, good results can be expected with division of the median arcuate ligament with open celiac artery reconstruction. Patients with atypical pain or history of psychiatric disorders only occasionally benefit from surgical repair. The role of primary stenting of celiac artery compression is still not well defined, and current data do not support the use of balloon-expandable stents. Laparoscopic division of the median arcuate ligament followed by celiac artery stenting is an effective, minimally invasive technique to manage selected patients with celiac artery compression syndrome.

Endovascular Management of Renal Artery Stenosis: Current Techniques and Results

Renal angioplasty and stenting for the treatment of atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis has become the initial procedure of choice in many institutions. This is due to the high acute technical success rates of 98% to 99%, with restenosis rates of 12% at 2 years with the use of balloon-expandable stents. Restenosis can usually be treated with a repeat percutaneous intervention, with secondary patency rates of up to 98% at 4 years. Average mortality rates of 1.7% with significant morbidity rates of 2.7% are significantly lower than those reported in most surgical series. In addition, with the advent of newer low-profile technology and increased experience at large institutions, these rates can be expected to decline even further. Cure of hypertension can be expected to occur in 10% to 20% of patients with improvement of blood pressure control in another 50% to 60% of patients. Similarly, improvement in renal insufficiency can be expected to occur in up to 30% of patients. Further advancements in technology such as the use of drug-eluting stents , protection devices, brachytherapy, and mechanical debulking devices may all serve to improve results. This paper reviews the development of our current endovascular technique for the management of renal artery stenosis along with results, complications, and areas for future development.

Self- and balloon-expandable stent implantation for severe native coarctation of aorta in adults

Background Balloon angioplasty for native coarctation of the aorta (CoA) in adults, though promising, is sometimes limited by significant residual gradient (>20 mm Hg). Few studies available have reported on use of balloon-expandable stents in such a situation. We evaluated the use of self- and balloon-expandable stents in patients with suboptimal response to balloon angioplasty (BA). Methods Twenty-one hypertensive patients (age, 18 to 61 years; mean, 28.6 ± 11.2 years) with native CoA and in whom results of BA were suboptimal (ie, residual peak systolic gradient [PSG] >20 mm Hg) underwent stent implantation. Balloon-expandable Palmaz stents were implanted in 5 patients (group A) and self-expandable nitinol aortic stents in the remaining 16 patients (group B). Results In group A, PSG decreased from 62.8 ± 10.6 (53 to 80) mm Hg to 28.1 ± 6.3 (22 to 39) mm Hg after BA. Systolic gradient further decreased to 8.3 ± 3.9 (2 to 16) mm Hg ( P < .001) after implantation of the balloon-expandable Palmaz stent. In group B, PSG decreased from 70.2 ± 24.6 (40 to 110) mm Hg to 28.4 ± 9.8 (22 to 42) mm Hg after BA and further reduced to 9.0 ± 5.5 (4 to 16) mm Hg ( P < .001). One of these patients had a nitinol self-expandable stent implanted after a Palmaz stent embolized immediately after deployment. Nitinol stents were easier to deploy and conformed better to aortic anatomy compared with balloon-expandable stents. In group A, the diameter of the coarcted segment increased from 3.8 ± 0.8 mm to 13.3 ± 0.8 mm ( P < .001) after stent implantation and in group B it increased from 4.5 ± 1.1 mm to 14.1 ± 2.1 mm ( P < .001). There was no significant difference between the two groups in the PSG and diameter of the coarcted segment before and after stent implantation. With the exception of one case, in which a Palmaz stent embolized, there was no other complication in our series. On follow-up of 12 to 71 months (mean, 40.7 ± 5.8 months) all the implanted stents remained in their original position and none showed evidence of fracture. Improvement in hypertension was seen in 20 of 21(95.2%) of the patients. On recatheterization and angiography 1.2 ± 0.6 years after implantation in 19 patients, one patient showed an increase in PSG to 27 mm Hg across the nitinol stent and underwent successful redilation. No increase in gradient was seen in other patients. Beneficial late remodeling was seen in 10 of 14(71.4%) of patients restudied after implantation of self-expandable stent. None of the patients showed aneurysm formation. Conclusions Stent implantation is safe and effective in improving suboptimal results after BA for CoA. Self-expandable stents were easier to implant, adapted better to the wall of the aorta, and in most patients had similar efficacy in reducing coarctation as balloon-expandable stents.

Use of Balloon-expandable Stents in Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunts in Cases of Wallstent Endoprosthesis Technical Failure and Revision of Shunt Stenosis

Thirteen patients underwent placement of a balloon-expandable stent either at initial transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creation (n = 3) because of immediate technical failure of the Wallstent or at shunt revision because of failure of the Wallstent to reduce the portosystemic gradient <or=12 mm Hg despite overdilation (n = 2), stenosis of the Wallstent (n = 1), or parenchymal tract shunt stenosis (n = 7). The mean duration of primary patency when balloon-expandable stents were used at initial shunt creation was 162.7 days +/- 110.1 (SD). The time from initial TIPS creation or shunt revision with a Wallstent to placement of a balloon-expandable stent was 88.6 days +/- 115.3. The time from balloon-expandable stent placement to shunt revision (n = 6), most recent follow-up (n = 2), death (n = 1), or liver transplantation (n = 1) was 171.9 days +/- 121.6. No significant difference in shunt patency was found between the Wallstent and balloon-expandable stent (P =.31). Because no added benefit in patency was seen between the balloon-expandable stent and Wallstent, it appears that balloon-expandable stent placement is valuable only when placement of a Wallstent technically fails as a result of its limited radial force or when precision in placement is needed to treat a hepatic vein stenosis near the confluence with the inferior vena cava.

Implantación primaria de stent en la coartación de aorta: seguimiento a medio plazo

The use of balloon-expandable stents provides an effective alternative therapy in patients with stenotic lesions in congenital heart disease. Stents implantation has served to improve the results and to reduce complications of balloon angioplasty for coarctation and recoarctation of the aorta. We report our results after primary stents implantation for coarctation and recoarctation of the aorta. Balloon-expandable stents were implanted in 14 patients (mean age 20 +/- 12 years) with coarctation of the aorta (11 native and 3 postoperative); 2 patients had associated malformations. The morphology varied: 10 resembled a located-diaphragm (one of them with moderate arch hypoplasia); 2 had distorted coarctation and 2 had a complete aortal obstruction. Five patients were hypertensive and 1 had cardiogenic shock and severe arrhythmias which did not respond to intensive medical therapy. In all cases 14 Palmaz stents (7 P308 and 7 P4014) were implanted with the primary technique through a Mullin's sheath. The balloon-to-descending aorta diameter ratio, measured at the level of the diaphragm, was 1. A special technique was carried out in the 2 cases with complete aortal obstruction. The procedure was effective in all 14 cases. The coarctation diameter increased from 4 +/- 2 to 15 +/- 2 mm (p < 0.0001) and transcoarctation systolic pressure gradient decreased from 43 +/- 19 to 2 +/- 2 mmHg (p < 0.0001). The ratio of the coarctation to descending aorta diameter measured at the level of the diaphragma increased from 0.3 +/- 0.1 to 0.95 +/- 0.05 (p < 0.001). At 19 +/- 8 months follow up, all patients showed sustained clinical improvement. The patient with complete aortal obstruction experienced a dramatic improvement, but she died from a sudden cardiac event 22 months after the procedure. At angiographic follow up in 7 patients, 1 year after implantation, no recoarctation was observed with secondary vessels patent, and absence of restenosis. a) Percutaneous endovascular stents implantation in coarctation and recoarctation of the aorta may become an effective treatment modality in the older child, adolescent and adults; b) stents are particularly attractive in those patients with a more complex anatomy and higher surgical risk; c) primary stenting is expected to have a lower rate of complications, and d) we describe a special technique with a right femoral-left humeral arterial circuit that is successfully applied to patients with complete aortal obstruction.

Balloon expandable stents for systemic venous pathway stenosis late after Mustard’s operation

ObjectivesDescription and evaluation of current experience with the use of balloon expandable stents for the relief of systemic venous pathway stenosis late after Mustard’s operation.DesignRetrospective observational study of technical procedures,...

Use of Balloon-Expandable Stents for Coarctation of the Aorta: Initial Results and Intermediate-Term Follow-Up

Objectives. In this study we report our preliminary results and intermediate-term follow-up (up to 3.5 years) of stent implantation for coarctation of the aorta (COA).Background. Balloon angioplasty has gained acceptance as a modality of treatment for COA. Some patients do not respond optimally to balloon angioplasty alone. Balloon-expandable stents have been used in pulmonary arteries and large systemic arteries such as the femoroiliac vessels, with a significant improvement in vessel patency and a reduction in the pressure gradient compared with balloon angioplasty alone.Methods. Nine patients (>10 years old) with COA in whom balloon dilation alone was thought to be ineffective underwent stent implantation. Seven patients had a previous operation or balloon dilation, or both, to relieve their coarctation but had a significant residual/recurrent gradient.Results. At the time of stent implantation, the systolic and mean gradients decreased from a mean (±SEM) of 37 ± 7 and 14 ± 3 mm Hg to 4 ± 1 and 2 ± 0.6 mm Hg, respectively (p ≤ 0.002). The coarctation diameter increased from a mean of 9 ± 1 to 15 ± 1 mm (p < 0.002). The patients have been followed for up to 42 months (mean 18, median 13) with no complications; the stents remain in position with no fracture. One patient underwent further successful dilation 3 years after stent implantation because of an exercise-induced gradient. No other intervention has been required. The systolic gradient at latest follow-up is 7 ± 2 mm Hg. Only two (a 44-year old with diabetes and a 50-year old with long-standing hypertension) of five patients previously requiring antihypertensive treatment still remain on medications for blood pressure control.Conclusions. The use of stents in COA is a feasible alternative to surgical repair or balloon angioplasty in selected patients with an effective gradient reduction. Intermediate-term follow-up shows excellent gradient relief, with no complications in this group of patients.

Use of balloon expandable stents in the palliative relief of obstructed right ventricular conduits

AbstractObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of balloon expandable stents in the relief of obstructed conduits in the right heart, and to review both the immediate success and longevity of this palliation.Methods and resultsEndovascular stents where placed in 17 children, median age 4.7 yrs (range 0.46–16.2 yrs), at a median of 1.6 yrs (range 0.33–6.7 yrs) after placement of conduits at surgery. A second stent was required in two children, either because of migration of the initial stent or residual proximal stenosis. Mean right ventricular to systemic pressure ratios were reduced from 0.77 ±0.24 to 0.50±0.13, and the minimum area of the pulmonary outflow tract increased from 24±12% to 69±26% of that expected for body surface area. Further surgery was needed in 8 patients following placement of the stent, in 5 within 10 months of implantation, due to inadequate relief of obstruction. Nonetheless, 3 of these 8 children achieved satisfac­tory palliation 18, 21 and 24 months prior to requiring insertion of a new conduit. Actuarial freedom from reoperation was 44% at 24 months. The remaining 9 children continue to benefit from the relief in obstruction provided by the stent at a mean interval from implantation of 24±8 months. In this group, the mean Doppler gradient across the right ventricular outflow tract was 35 ±13 mmHg (n=6).ConclusionsThese early data indicate that endovascular stents are useful in the palliation of obstructed right ventricular conduits. In the short-term, the relief of obstruction achieved is well maintained, and has either delayed or obviated the need for insertion of new conduits.

27.10 Benefits of simultaneous transluminal balloon dilatation and opened surgery during elective arterial reconstruction

Patients undergoing repair of thoracoabdominal (TAA) or visceral aortic segment aneurysms typically require reconstruction of the renal arteries. The use of balloon expandable stents (BES) has been proposed as an alternative to endarterectomy or bypass for renal artery reconstruction (RAR) during open aortic aneurysm repair. We report technical aspects and long-term patency data for this method of right RAR during complex open aortic aneurysm repair.During the interval July 1, 2005 to December 31, 2007, a total of 67 patients underwent right RAR using a BES during concomitant TAA (type I: n = 2 [2.9%], type II: n = 8 [11.9%], type III: n = 13 [19.4%], and type IV: n = 22 [32.8%]), juxtarenal (n = 9 [13.4%]) or suprarenal (n = 13 [19.4%]) AAA repair. Indications for RAR were orificial stenosis (n = 21 [31%]) and/or technical considerations referable to the proximal aortic suture line. Patency of the renal stent was evaluated in patients with computed tomography angiography using three-dimensional reconstruction or with abdominal duplex evaluation at follow-up.The mean patient age was 75.1 years, 54.4% were male, and 18% of operations were in nonelective circumstances. Twenty-seven (39%) out of 67 patients had a preoperative creatinine level ≥1.4 mg/dL. Two patients (2.9%) developed permanent renal failure postoperatively (neither related to renal artery occlusion). Mean radiologic follow-up was 405 days (11-1281) with 98% stent patency noted. One patient had an early stent occlusion noted at 1 month. An additional patient was noted to have a nonflow-limiting dissection distal to the renal stent, and another was noted to have distal migration of the stent beyond the renal ostium; however, these findings were clinically silent.The use of BES during complex open aortic aneurysm repair affords a rapid and durable mode of RAR, obviating the need for endarterectomy and its associated technical complications.

Restenosis of Endovascular Stents From Stent Compression

Objectives. We sought to determine the basis for restenosis within superficial femoral arteries (SFAs) and hemodialysis conduits treated with balloon-expandable stents.Background. Use of stents within coronary and peripheral vessels continues to increase exponentially. The mechanism of restenosis within stents placed at various vascular sites is not well understood. In particular, the implications of deploying a balloon-expandable stent in a compressible site are not well understood.Methods. After the serendipitous detection of stent deformation during intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) examination of a restenosed dialysis fistula, we evaluated a consecutive series of patients with stents placed in compressible vascular sites, including the SFA (six patients) and hemodialysis fistulae (five patients). Clinical, angiographic and IVUS examinations were performed to evaluate mechanisms of restenosis.Results. Stent compression was identified as the principal cause of restenosis in all dialysis conduits and SFAs. Stent deformity was not reliably identified by angiography; however, IVUS identified compression of two forms: eccentric deformation, implicating two-point compressive force, and complete circumferential encroachment of stent struts around the catheter, suggesting multidirectional compressive force. Despite redilation, secondary restenosis resulting from recurrent compression recurred in most sites.Conclusions. Restenosis within balloon-expandable endovascular stents may occur as a result of stent compression, a phenomenon readily detected by IVUS, but often not by angiography. These findings have significant implications for the use of balloon-expandable stents within vascular sites subject to extrinsic compression, such as hemodialysis conduits, the adductor canal segment of the SFA and carotid arteries.(J Am Coll Cardiol 1997;29:328–38)

Balloon-Expandable Stent Complications During Endovascular Grafting

Intraluminal stented grafts are currently the focus of much attention and research. Increasing use of balloon-expandable stents in these devices has resulted in a spectrum of deployment associated complications and new technical challenges for surgeons. The various techniques used to overcome problems during intravascular stented graft deployment are reported. Deployment complications occurred in 3 of 19 adult hound dogs subjected to endovascular stented graft placement. The stented grafts consisted of a balloon expandable stent sewn to a 6-cm-long,10.mm-diameter, thin-walled polytetrafluoroethylene graft. Reengaging a nondeployed stented graft that slid off an expansion balloon, managing a partially deployed stented graft with inability to disengage a broken angioplasty balloon, and repositioning a free stent within the aorta are described. Treatment of stented graft complications was associated with no morbidity or mortality and minimal blood loss and added only fifteen to thirty minutes of procedure time. All situations were managed successfully without the need for an open retrieval procedure. Deployment complications associated with intravascular stented grafts may be successfully managed with endovascular techniques using the existing graft delivery system and additional small-diameter balloon catheters.