Stenting for abdominal aortic occlusive disease. Long-term results

We report the long-term results of abdominal aortic stenting in 24 patients who underwent stenting for atherosclerotic occlusive disease (16 stenoses, 6 occlusions, and 2 ulcerative plaques). The occlusions were treated initially with thrombolytic therapy, and all lesions were balloon dilated. Indications for stenting were: residual gradient (n = 10); recoil (n = 7); dissection (n = 2); and atherosclerotic debris (n = 5). Thirty-eight Palmaz stents were implanted in the aorta, and 21 were implanted in the common iliac (n = 19) and external iliac (n = 2) arteries. Technical and clinical success was 100%. Over a mean follow-up period of 48 months (range, 1 to 67 months), 2 patients died and 2 were lost to follow-up. Two patients developed symptoms referable to the aorta (at 43 and 67 months), and each was managed successfully via an endovascular approach. There was no in-stent restenosis. Life-table analysis showed a 100% cumulative primary patency at 5 years. We conclude that stenting for abdominal aortic occlusive disease appears to offer long-term patency slightly superior to that of classical surgical intervention. Aortic stents also do not appear to be subject to restenosis. Follow-up in a larger patient cohort is needed to confirm these observations.