Clinical experience with a new nitinol self-expanding stent in peripheral arteries

To evaluate a new self-expanding nitinol coil stent in stenotic or occluded peripheral arteries.

Seventy-three symptomatic patients (58 men; mean age 67 years) were treated with nitinol stents for lesions in the iliac artery (9 stenoses); superficial femoral artery (SFA) (39 stenoses, 6 occlusions); popliteal artery and tibioperoneal trunk (9 stenoses, 7 occlusions); and 3 bypass grafts. Mean diameter stenosis was 84.4% +/- 9.9% (range 75% to 100%), and mean lesion length was 45 +/- 23 mm (range 20 to 120 mm).

Eighty-eight 40-mm-long stents with diameters between 5 and 8 mm were implanted percutaneously for suboptimal dilation (n = 45); dissection (n = 21); and restenosis (n = 7). All stents but one were implanted successfully; the malpositioned stent was removed, and another stent was successfully deployed. There were 3 (4.1%) failures due to thrombosis at 24 hours. During the mean 16-month follow-up (range to 44 months), 4 restenoses (3 femoral, 1 popliteal) have occurred; 2 were treated with repeat dilation and 2 underwent bypass. Primary and secondary patency rates at 18 months were 87% and 90%, respectively, for all lesions (iliac: 100% for both; femoral: 85% and 88%; popliteal: 87% and 100%).

This new nitinol stent seems to be safe and effective with favorable long-term results, even in distal SFA lesions and popliteal arteries. Its flexibility and resistance to external compression allow its placement in tortuous arteries and near joints.