Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 7, 2026
Autologous Endothelial Progenitor Cell-Seeding Technology and Biocompatibility Testing For Cardiovascular Devices in Large Animal Model
Published on: September 9, 2011
Drug-eluting tibial stents: objective patency determination
William D McMillan1, Chris D Leville, Troy D Long
1Minneapolis Vascular Physicians and MinneapolisVascular Research Foundation, Plymouth MN 55441, USA. wmcmillan2003@yahoo.com
Insights
Drug-eluting tibial stents offer a viable endovascular option for limb-threatening ischemia, demonstrating acceptable patency rates. Close patient surveillance is crucial for successful limb salvage in multilevel treatments.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Surgery
- Interventional Cardiology
- Endovascular Therapy
Background:
- Limb-threatening ischemia often necessitates intervention for tibial occlusive disease.
- Endovascular management is a key approach for treating critical limb ischemia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the patency rates of drug-eluting tibial stents.
- To assess the efficacy of drug-eluting stents in endovascular management of limb-threatening ischemia.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of patients treated with drug-eluting tibial stents for limb-threatening ischemia (2004-2008).
- Patients received postprocedural antiplatelet therapy (clopidogrel and aspirin).
- Follow-up included duplex ultrasonography and selective angiography; primary patency, limb salvage, and survival rates were reported.
Main Results:
- Fifty-two patients received drug-eluting tibial stents after suboptimal balloon angioplasty.
- Target lesion patency was 73% at 24 months.
- Limb salvage rate was 86% at 26 months, and survival rate was 65% at 24 months.
Conclusions:
- Drug-eluting tibial stents are a viable endovascular option for limb-threatening ischemia.
- Acceptable patency rates support their use.
- Multilevel treatment and close surveillance are essential for limb salvage.
Purpose:
Endovascular management of limb-threatening ischemia often requires treatment of tibial occlusive disease. This study was preformed to examine the patency of drug-eluting tibial stents.
Materials And Methods:
The medical records of all patients undergoing drug-eluting tibial stent placement for limb-threatening ischemia from June 2004 to June 2008 were retrospectively reviewed. Postprocedural antiplatelet therapy included clopidogrel and aspirin. Patients were followed with serial arterial duplex ultrasonography and had selective subsequent angiographic evaluation based on noninvasive findings. Primary patency of the target lesion, limb salvage, and survival rates were reported.
Results:
A total of 240 patients underwent 283 tibial angioplasty procedures to treat limb-threatening ischemia during the 4-year period. Fifty-two patients (22%) had a suboptimal balloon result and were treated with a drug-eluting tibial stent. Balloon-expandable paclitaxel-eluting stents were used in all patients (1.2 stents per patient; range, 1-3; median diameter, 2.75 mm; range, 2.5-3.5 mm; median length, 24 mm; range, 20-32 mm). Forty-eight of those 52 patients (92%) had simultaneous endovascular treatment of proximal lesions. Mean follow-up was 14.3 months (range, 1-48 months). Target lesion patency of the drug-eluting tibial stent was 73% at 24 months (SE < 10%). Limb salvage rate in patients treated with drug-eluting tibial stents was 86% at 26 months (SE < 10%), and the survival rate was 65% at 24 months (SE < 10%).
Conclusions:
Drug-eluting tibial stents are a viable option for the endovascular management of limb-threatening ischemia and have acceptable patency rates. The majority of patients require multilevel endovascular treatment, and close surveillance is required for limb salvage.