Thrombogenicity of metallic vascular stents in arteries and veins--an experimental study in pigs

Endovascular expanding metallic stents were percutaneously implanted in the iliac arteries and veins of pigs. The vessels had been stenosed by a ligature of catgut 4 weeks prior to this. Platelets were labeled with Indium 111 and the deposition onto the dilated and stented areas was dynamically registered for 240 min with a scintillation camera. All six arterial and six venous stents remained patent throughout the examination period. At the site of arterial stenting there was an increase, of deposited activity, and in the veins a decrease. These experimental findings support the use of endovascular stents after dilation, especially in venous stenoses.