Stenting of the peripheral, renal and supraaortic arteries and the aorta

In spite of the limited experience with the newer types of stents (covered stents, stent grafts) and the resultant reservations, this development is one of the most fascinating features of the last decade and opens new perspectives for vascular medicine and endovascular surgery in the near future. At present stents in the aortoiliac region, including the origin of renal arteries, appear to fulfil their promise. In the femoropopliteal and crural region there are still unresolved problems (relapse rate around 50%), and stents should be implanted only in salvage situations. However, primary application of stents cannot be recommended even in the unproblematic regions, due to the possibility of stent-induced intimal hyperplasia and the high cost of the devices. In other more controversial regions such as the carotid arteries, the application is still experimental and should be performed under controlled study circumstances.