Stenting as a bail-out option after failed percutaneous transluminal angioplasty in infrainguinal vein bypass grafts

To study the safety and efficacy of bare and covered stents in infrainguinal vein grafts after failure of PTA for treating graft stenoses.

An analysis of a prospective database of all patients who underwent stenting of infrainguinal vein bypass grafts at this institution between 1 January 2008 and 31 December 2012 was carried out. The main outcome considered was primary patency, which was reported at 1, 6 and 12 months.

A total of 18 patients with a mean age of 73 years (range: 56 to 86) were included. The indications for stent placement were significant recoil (7, 39%), graft rupture (6, 33%), residual vein cusps (3, 17%) and aneurysmal degeneration (2, 11%). There was a high overall technical success rate of 94% (17/18) and arrest of haemorrhage was achieved in all cases of graft rupture. The primary patency at 1, 6 and 12 months was 89%, 71% and 59%, respectively.

The use of bare and covered stents in infrainguinal vein grafts appears safe and effective. They are an excellent bail-out option for the treatment of graft rupture and give acceptable short-term results.