Initial Experiences with Percutaneous Endovascular Repair of Popliteal Artery Lesions Using a New PTFE Stent-Graft

Abstract

Purpose: To report the percutaneous endovascular management of popliteal artery lesions with a new polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) stent-graft. Methods and Results: Three patients have undergone endovascular treatment in the popliteal region owing to: (1) an iatrogenic false aneurysm with arteriovenous fistula, (2) entrapment syndrome, and (3) an isolated arterial aneurysm. In each case, arterial occlusion was treated initially with thrombolysis. The underlying vascular lesions then were stented using the new Hemobahn endograft, a nitinol stent covered internally with PTFE. Each percutaneous procedure was completed successfully without major complications. During early follow-up (6 to 7 months), no signs of intimal hyperplasia, occlusion, or stent migration have been observed. Conclusions: Based on these early experiences, percutaneous treatment of stenotic and aneurysmal lesions in the popliteal artery using the Hemobahn endograft appears feasible and effective. Further experience and longer follow-up are required to evaluate this new prosthesis.

Percutaneous Treatment of Long Superficial Femoral Artery Occlusive Disease: Efficacy of the Hemobahn Stent-Graft

“…1). Moreover, we and others 36 have seen few acute occlusions in Hemobahn stent-grafts placed for popliteal aneurysms, where the risk of kinking would be far greater.…”

Endovascular Repair of Popliteal Artery Aneurysms: Techniques, Current Evidence and Recent Experience

“…Both symptomatic and asymptomatic aneurysms have been studied 18,23,28,29,32 with several authors also reporting successful repair of ruptured aneurysms. 23,27,32,33 Puech-Leao et al proposed that a retrograde approach to the aneurysmal vessel, through a posterior popliteal incision, would lessen the risk of distal embolization during the procedure; however, the majority of the authors have used an antegrade femoral approach to the popliteal aneurysm without any documented embolic complications.…”

“…Some stent-graft placements were preceded by intra-arterial thrombolysis in the case of thrombotic occlusion. 24,26,29,32 The majority of interventions involved initial i.v. administration of 5000 units of heparin.…”

Open versus endovascular repair of popliteal artery aneurysms

“…[42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51] Although a variety of devices were described, most reported good early technical success without significant morbidity, no mortality, and short hospital stays. Concern was expressed, however, about the undocumented long-term patency of this new approach.…”