1-Year All-Comers Analysis of the Eluvia Drug-Eluting Stent for Long Femoropopliteal Lesions After Suboptimal Angioplasty

Evaluation of the efficacy of combined device strategies for long femoropopliteal artery disease

One of the major problems associated with bare nitinol stent implantation is stent fracture, particularly in the popliteal artery. The purpose of this study was to determine whether drug coated balloons (DCB), interwoven stents (IWS), or plain old balloon angioplasty (POBA) would be suitable for use in distal femoropopliteal (FP) long lesions when an Eluvia stent was implanted proximal to a lesion. This was a multi-center retrospective study enrolling patients undergoing concomitant use of Eluvia with DCB, IWS or POBA for symptomatic atherosclerotic femoropopliteal disease (lesion length > 15 cm) [Rutherford category 2-6] between January 2018 and September 2021. 79 patients with 89 femoropopliteal lesions were enrolled in this study. The mean lesion length and the percentage of the popliteal artery involvement was 24.3 ± 6.4 cm vs 24.0 ± 9.0 cm vs 26.6 ± 6.2 cm and 65.8% vs 89.4% vs 67.8% for the Eluvia + DCB, Eluvia + IWS, and Eluvia + POBA groups, respectively. The 1-year Kaplan-Meier estimates of primary patency and freedom from major adverse limb events (MALEs) were 53.3% vs 44.1% vs 24.2% and 62.4% vs 51.0% vs 28.1%, respectively. Eluvia + POBA was associated with a lower rate for 1-year primary patency (HR 2.49; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.28-4.87; p = 0.007 and HR 2.38; 95% CI: 1.13-5.77; p = 0.04). In SFA long lesions with proximal Eluvia implantation, distal implantations of either a DCB or IWS were comparable, as opposed to POBA alone which generated worse results.

Superficial femoral artery pseudoaneurysm at implantation site of drug eluting stent discovered due to bacteremia: A case report

BACKGROUND

Drug-eluting stents (DES) are used to treat lower extremity arterial disease. During DES treatment, aneurysmal degeneration occasionally occurs, especially with fluoropolymer-based DES. However, the incidence of pseudoaneurysms after DES placement is rarely reported in the lower extremity region, although there have been several reports on pseudoaneurysm formation after DES pla-cement in the coronary artery region.

CASE SUMMARY

We report the case of a 64-year-old man who presented with fever and pain in his left hand after dialysis. Bacteremia was diagnosed by blood culture, and after admission, he developed pain on the medial side of the right thigh. A pseudoaneurysm was observed in the right superficial femoral artery (SFA) at the proximal end of a previously placed DES. The bacteremia was thought to have been caused by a pseudoaneurysm of the left superficial brachial artery, and the pseudoaneurysm of the left superficial brachial artery was removed after antibiotic treatment. The pseudoaneurysm of the right SFA rapidly expanded after admission, but the expansion rate was reduced after infection control. Seven months after the first admission, the pseudoaneurysm of the left SFA was re-moved and in situ revascularization performed using a rifampicin-soaked Dacron graft.

CONCLUSION

Although pseudoaneurysm after DES placement in the lower extremity region is rare, it must be considered in patients with bacteremia.

Impact of Calcification on the Outcomes of Femoropopliteal Artery Endovascular Treatment Using a Polymer Coated Drug-Eluting Stent

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of calcification on the 12 and 24 months outcomes of the Eluvia™ (Boston Scientific®) drug-eluting stent (DES) for femoropopliteal occlusive disease using three different calcium scoring systems.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A single-center, retrospective cohort-study (March-2016 to December-2018) of patients treated with the Eluvia™ DES for femoropopliteal atherosclerosis was performed. Outcomes included primary and secondary patency rates and freedom from target lesion revascularization (FTLR) and were analyzed by comparing the impact of calcium burden according to the following calcium scores: Peripheral Arterial Calcium Scoring System (PACSS) score, number of vessel quadrants affected (0-4) and calcification score per Peripheral Academic Research Consortium (PARC) definitions.

RESULTS

In total, 111 Patients were included (mean age: 71.2 ± 7.9; 64% male). Most patients presented with Rutherford class 3 (79.9%), followed by class 5 (12.7%), class 4 (10%) and class 6 (6.4%). The mean lesion length was 197.6 ± 108.5 mm and 74.3% of patients had chronic total occlusions. There were no differences in primary patency between the calcification scores at 12 months (PACSS, LogRank = 0.28; quadrants, LogRank = 0.29; PARC, LogRank = 0.42) and 24 months (PACSS, LogRank = 0.13; quadrants, LogRank = 0.42; PARC, LogRank = 0.13). FTLR was significantly lower at 12 months in patients with calcification affecting 3 or 4 quadrants (LogRank = 0.022) but not at 24 months (LogRank = 0.36).

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, the Eluvia™ DES showed promising performance in calcified disease and the analysis according to the quadrant model predicted an increased risk for TLR at 12 months.

Korean Multicenter Registry of ELUVIA Stent for Femoropopliteal Artery Disease: K-ELUVIA Registry

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The K-ELUVIA study aimed to investigate the clinical effectiveness and safety of Eluvia™, a polymer-coated, paclitaxel-eluting stent, for femoropopliteal artery disease using data from a prospective Korean multicenter registry.

METHODS

A total of 105 patients with femoropopliteal artery disease who received endovascular treatment (EVT) with Eluvia™ stents at 7 Korean sites were enrolled in a prospective cohort and followed for 2 years. The primary endpoint was the 2-year clinical patency. The secondary endpoint was 2-year freedom from clinically driven target lesion revascularization (TLR).

RESULTS

Mean patient age was 68.2±10.4 years, and most patients (82.7%) were male. Mean lesion length was 168.3±117.6 mm. Chronic total occlusion was found in 57.7% of patients. Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus for the Management of Peripheral Arterial Disease (TASC II) type C or D lesions were present in 46.1% of patients. Procedural success was achieved in 99.0% of patients. The clinical patency rate was 84.4% at 1 year after EVT and 76.3% at 2 years post-EVT. The freedom from TLR rate was 89.1% at 1 year after EVT and 79.1% at 2 years post-EVT. Chronic total occlusion (hazard ratio [HR], 3.53; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.08-11.67; p=0.039) and smaller mean stent diameter (HR, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.16-0.98; p=0.044) were identified as independent predictors of loss of clinical patency at 2 years.

CONCLUSIONS

The K-ELUVIA study demonstrated favorable 2-year clinical effectiveness and safety outcomes of Eluvia stent for femoropopliteal artery lesions in real-world practice.

Three-year clinical course after fluoropolymer-based drug-eluting stent implantation for femoropopliteal lesions

BACKGROUND

Although the 1-year clinical outcomes of fluoropolymer-based drug-eluting stents (FP-DES) were favorable for the treatment of real-world femoropopliteal lesions in symptomatic peripheral artery disease (PAD), their performance beyond 1 year remained unknown. The current study determined the 3-year clinical course of FP-DES implantation for real-world femoropopliteal lesions.

METHODS

This multicenter, prospective, observational study evaluated 1204 limbs (chronic limb-threatening ischemia, 34.8%; mean lesion length, 18.6 ± 9.9 cm, chronic total occlusion: 53.2%) of 1097 patients with PAD (age, 75 ± 9 years; diabetes mellitus, 60.8%) undergoing FP-DES implantation for femoropopliteal lesions. The primary outcome measure was 3-year restenosis. The secondary outcome measures included 3-year occlusive restenosis, stent thrombosis, target lesion revascularization (TLR), and aneurysmal degeneration.

RESULTS

The 3-year cumulative occurrence of restenosis was 27.3%, whereas that of occlusive restenosis, stent thrombosis, and TLR was 16.1%, 7.3%, and 19.6%, respectively. The annual occurrence of restenosis decreased by 12.0%, 9.5%, and 5.8% in the first, second, and third year, respectively (p < 0.001). Similarly, the rates of occlusive restenosis and stent thrombosis decreased (p < 0.001 and p = 0.007, respectively), whereas the rate of TLR remained unchanged for 3 years (p = 0.15). The incidence of aneurysmal degeneration at 3 years (15.7%) did not significantly differ from that at 1 and 2 years (p = 0.69 and 0.20, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights the favorable long-term clinical course of FP-DES in real-world practice, emphasizing the importance of monitoring for occlusive restenosis and stent thrombosis while considering the potential onset of aneurysmal degeneration.

Mortality, Safety, and Effectiveness of Paclitaxel-Containing Balloons and Stents in the Femoropopliteal Artery: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials since 2018

PURPOSE

To provide an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of safety and effectiveness outcomes with paclitaxel-containing devices.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating paclitaxel-containing balloons or stents in the treatment of femoropopliteal disease was performed. Pooled risk ratio (RR) was calculated using the inverse-variance, random-effects model in the assessment of primary patency, all-cause mortality, target limb major amputation, target lesion revascularization (TLR), and thrombosis.

RESULTS

In total, 19 RCTs were included comprising 4,284 participants. All-cause mortality rates did not differ significantly between the 2 arms at 12 months (RR, 1.06; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.66-1.72; P = .80), 24 months (RR, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.56-1.50; P = .73), 36 months (RR, 1.21; 95% CI, 0.65-2.25; P = .55), or 48-60 months (RR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.66-1.39; P = .81) after intervention. Primary patency was significantly higher at 12 months in the paclitaxel-containing arm: 80.92% (1,438/1,777) versus 57.48% (607/1,056) in the control arm (RR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.30-1.59; P < .00001).

CONCLUSIONS

The present study demonstrates no statistically significant difference in all-cause mortality, target limb major amputation, or thrombosis with paclitaxel drug-eluting therapy to the femoropopliteal region. Additionally, improved and durable patency rates with a statistically significantly lower risk of clinically driven TLR with paclitaxel drug-eluting therapy have been demonstrated.

Efficacy analysis following polymer coated drug eluting stent and bare metal stent deployment for femoropopliteal arterial disease

OBJECTIVES

The objective is to assess the performance of the Eluvia polymer coated drug eluting stent (DES) compared to a bare metal stent (BMS) platform in patients with femoropopliteal arterial disease.

METHODS

This is a retrospective, single-center analysis. Patients treated with the Eluvia DES (group Eluvia) or the EverFlex BMS (group BMS) for femoropopliteal disease between January 2013 and December 2019 were included. Primary measure outcome of this analysis was the overall mortality. The PTX specific mortality, the primary patency, the amputation free survival (AFS), and the target lesion revascularization (TLR) rates were additionally evaluated.

RESULTS

A total of 124 patients were treated by BMS deployment, while the Eluvia platform was preferred in 75 subjects. In both groups the majority presented with lifestyle limiting claudication (BMS: 84% vs Eluvia: 73%, p = 0.73). Chronic total occlusions were more frequent in patients treated by BMS (BMS: 71% vs Eluvia: 84%, p = 0.027), whereas the calcification burden (BMS: 81% vs Eluvia: 76%, p = 0.43) and the median lesion length (in mm, IQR) (BMS: 160 (100 to 240) vs Eluvia: 140 (80 to 229), p = 0.17) were comparable. At 24 months, the overall survival (BMS: 93% vs Eluvia: 89%, hazard ratio (HR): 1.20, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.55 to 2.64, p = 0.64) and the PTX specific survival (BMS: 95% vs Eluvia: 95%, HR: 1.28, 95% CI: 0.41 to 4.02, p = 0.67) did not differ significantly between the two platforms. No significant difference was observed regarding the 24 months primary patency rate (BMS: 66% vs Eluvia: 78%, HR: 0.65, 95% CI: 0.37 to 1.15, p = 0.18), the freedom from TLR (BMS: 83% vs Eluvia: 89%, HR: 0.81, 95% CI: 0.39 to 1.68, p = 0.572), and the AFS (BMS: 93 vs Eluvia: 89%, HR: 1.20, 95% CI: 0.55 to 2.64). The Cox regression analysis revealed a higher mortality risk among patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) (HR: 3.14, 95% CI: 1.61 to 6.14, p = 0.008), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (HR: 4.65, 95% CI: 2.14 to 10.09, p = 0.001), in octagenerians (HR: 4.40, 95% CI: 1.92 to 10.44, p = 0.005), and in patients not on statins at baseline (HR: 2.44, 95% CI: 1.19 to 4.99, p=0.014).

CONCLUSIONS

In this cohort, the use of the Eluvia DES did not increase the risk for mortality compared to BMS deployment. CLTI, COPD, advanced age, and the lack of statin therapy at baseline were associated with a higher risk for death.

Treatment of Femoropopliteal Artery Disease with Polymer-Coated Drug-Eluting Stent: 5-Year Results of a Prospective, Non-Randomized Study Including the Halo Phenomenon

PURPOSE

To investigate the long-term results of the Eluvia drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation for femoropopliteal arterial disease, including the 'halo' phenomenon. Long-term data of DES is scarce. A focal reaction ('halo') following Eluvia DES deployment has been described. However, the long-term clinical impact of this phenomenon remains unclear.

METHODS

This prospective, non-randomized, single-arm study included 130 consecutive patients treated with an Eluvia DES for symptomatic femoropopliteal disease between March 2016 and December 2018. Clinical outcomes and imaging were assessed after 6 months and annually thereafter for up to 5 years. The primary outcome measure was primary patency. Secondary outcomes were freedom from clinically driven target lesion revascularization (CD-TLR), freedom from major amputation, overall survival and amputation-free survival rates.

RESULTS

The primary patency was 65% at 5 years. The freedom from CD-TLR and from major amputation at 5 years was 79 and 96%, respectively. The overall survival and amputation-free survival rates were 88 and 83% at 60 months, respectively. Out of the 27 patients with a halo sign, two showed an increased (7.4%) and 6 (22.2%) a decreased diameter. In 19 cases (70.4%), the diameter remained unchanged at the latest follow-up. The presence of the 'halo' sign was associated with increased primary patency (87% versus 59%, HR: 2.48, 95%CI 1.19-5.16, P = .015).

CONCLUSIONS

The presented patient cohort treated with the Eluvia DES for femoropopliteal artery lesions indicates durable efficacy and a good safety profile regardless of the halo phenomenon. The results need to be confirmed in a larger patient cohort.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III

Non-randomized controlled cohort/follow-up study.

Comparing Predictors Influencing Restenosis Following High-Dose Drug-Coated Balloon Angioplasty and Fluoropolymer-Based Drug-Eluting Stenting in Femoropopliteal Artery Lesions

PURPOSE

Despite widespread use of anti-restenosis devices, drug-coated balloons (DCBs) and drug-eluting stents (DESs), their appropriate use for femoropopliteal (FP) lesions has not been well investigated and the risk factors for restenosis have not been compared. To investigate risk factors associated with restenosis after endovascular therapy using DCB and DES for contemporary FP lesions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This single-center, retrospective, observational study evaluated 378 FP lesions in 273 patients treated with DCB (278 lesions in 193 patients) or DES (120 lesions in 106 patients). The DCB used was high-dose DCB (IN.PACT, Admiral. Medtronic, Inc.) and DES was fluoropolymer-based DES (ELUVIA, Boston Scientific). Vessel preparation failure was defined as a residual stenosis of ≥50% and a dissection grade of D or greater on pre-dilatation angiography. The outcome measure was restenosis, and factors associated with restenosis in the DCB and DES groups were assessed using a Cox proportional hazards model.

RESULTS

The 2-year restenosis rate was not significantly different between the DCB and DES groups (29%±4% vs. 24%±5%, p=0.42). Interaction analysis demonstrated that popliteal lesions and plaque burden of ≥50% were restenosis-related factors for DES but not for DCB, whereas vessel preparation failure was a factor for DCB but not for DES (p<0.05). Vessel diameter of <6 mm and nodular calcification were risk factors in both groups (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

In contemporary FP lesions, smaller vessels and nodular calcification were shared restenosis-related factors for high-dose DCB and fluoropolymer-based DES. Popliteal lesions and plaque burden of ≥50% were restenosis-related factors for fluoropolymer-based DES and vessel preparation failure for high-dose DCB.

CLINICAL IMPACT

Shared and differential restenosis-related factors after endovascular therapy using high-dose drug-coated balloons (DCBs) and fluoropolymer-based drug-eluting stents (DESs) in contemporary femoropopliteal (FP) lesions are unclear. This single-center retrospective study included 378 FP lesions in 273 patients with lower-extremity arterial disease (high-dose DCB, 278 lesions in 193 patients; fluoropolymer-based DES, 120 lesions in 106 patients). Smaller vessels and calcified nodules were shared restenosis-related factors for both high-dose DCB and fluoropolymer-based DES, whereas popliteal lesions and plaque burden of ≥50% were restenosis-related factors for fluoropolymer-based DES and vessel preparation failure for high-dose DCB.

Impact of postprocedural minimum lumen area on clinical outcome after femoropopliteal drug-eluting stent implantation

INTRODUCTION

Although favorable results of fluoropolymer-based drug-eluting stent (FP-DES) treatment for femoropopliteal lesions have been reported, it is unclear whether minimal lumen area (MLA) after FP-DES implantation affects clinical outcomes. This study aimed to reveal the association between intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)-evaluated MLA and the 1-year risk of restenosis and aneurysmal degeneration after FP-DES implantation for femoropopliteal lesions.

METHODS

A subanalysis of the CAPSICUM (Contemporary outcomes After Paclitaxel-eluting peripheral Stent implantation for symptomatic lower limb IsChemia with sUperficial feMoral or proximal popliteal lesion) study analyzed 718 limbs in 686 patients with available IVUS-evaluated MLA data. The association of MLA with the 1-year risk of restenosis and aneurysmal degeneration was analyzed using the generalized propensity score method.

RESULTS

The 1-year incidence rate of restenosis was estimated to be 8.8% (95% CI, 6.1% to 12.5%) for the upper quartile of MLA (21.1 mm2) versus 14.3% (95% CI, 10.7% to 18.7%) for the lower quartile of MLA (15.2 mm2), with an odds ratio of 0.58 (95% CI, 0.36 to 0.93; p = 0.024), whereas the 1-year incidence rate of aneurysmal degeneration was 23.8% (95% CI, 19.5% to 28.8%) for the upper quartile versus 16.8% (95% CI, 12.6% to 22.0%) for the lower quartile, with an odds ratio of 1.55 (95% CI, 1.04 to 2.32; p = 0.031).

CONCLUSION

A large MLA after FP-DES implantation for femoropopliteal lesions was associated with decreased restenosis risk but increased aneurysmal degeneration risk. These findings suggest that MLA is a valuable predictor of clinical outcomes.

Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Clinical Outcomes After Endovascular Treatment in Patients With Femoropopliteal Lesions Greater Than 150 mm

OBJECTIVE

Indications for endovascular treatment of femoropopliteal (FP) lesions have steadily increased over the past decade. Accordingly, the number of devices has also increased but the choice of the best endovascular treatment remains to be defined. The aim of this meta-analysis was to summarize all studies investigating endovascular treatment of FP lesions greater than 150 mm from 2010 to 2021.

METHODS

Articles were searched using PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane. Included studies were randomized controlled trials (RCTs), cohort studies, and case series (prospective and retrospective) that evaluated any endovascular procedure in patients with long FP lesions classified TASC (Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus document II on management of peripheral arterial disease) C and/or D, and a mean length >150 mm, primary outcome had to be the 1-year primary patency. Overall estimate of primary patency, secondary patency, and freedom from target lesion revascularization (TLR) at 1 year depending on the different devices were investigated. The meta-analysis was conducted following the requirements of the MOOSE (Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology) checklist.

RESULTS

Forty-four papers comprising 4847 patients and 5282 treated limbs were included. Mean lesions length ranged from 150.5 to 330 mm. The pooled 1-year primary and secondary patencies, and freedom from TLR rates were 0.71 (95% CI: 0.67-0.74), 0.87 (95% CI: 0.83-0.91), and 0.79 (95% CI: 0.74-0.84), respectively. Primary permeability at 1 year were 0.68 (95% CI: 0.62-0.73), 0.67 (95% CI: 0.60-0.74), 0.74 (95% CI: 0.64-0.84), and 0.83 (95% CI: 0.78-0.88) for bare metal stents, covered stents (CSs), drug-eluting stents, and drug-coated balloons (DCBs), respectively. Lesions treated with DCB had the highest 1-year primary patency rate.

CONCLUSIONS

At 1-year, endovascular procedures for FP lesions greater than 150 mm obtain satisfactory results. High primary patency rates were obtained with drug-coated devices, while CSs obtained less favorable results. Randomized studies comparing different devices in the treatment of long FP lesions remain necessary to determine the most optimal approach for the management of these patients.

CLINICAL IMPACT

This paper highlights on the one hand the satisfactory results of endovascular treatment on complex femoropopliteal lesions formerly reserved for conventional surgery. On the other hand, among the available devices, paclitaxel-eluting devices seem to show superior results which should make them recommended as first-line treatment.

Comparative Evaluation of Two Paclitaxel-Coated Stents in an Experimental Setting

INTRODUCTION

Unlike paclitaxel-coated balloons, pre-clinical data comparing different paclitaxel-coated stents (PCSs) are weak. The study objective was to compare the features of the 2 main PCSs: Eluvia® (Boston Scientific, Marlborough, MA) versus ZilverPTX® (Cook Medical, Bloomington, IN).

METHOD

Analysis was carried out on 12 pigs divided into 2 groups: Eluvia® (n=6) and ZilverPTX® (n=6). The pigs received the PCS corresponding to their group in each external iliac artery and were paired one by one, to examine 6 different post-implantation timepoints: after 30 minutes, 6 hours, 24 hours, 3 days, 7 days, and 14 days. The paclitaxel concentration measurements and the histological analysis were carried out under blind testing on the plasma, arterial, lymph node, and muscle samples. A linear regression model and Wilcoxon Mann-Whitney test were used to study the variables.

RESULTS

The plasma paclitaxel rate decrease over 24 hours after PCS implantation was significantly different between the two groups, expressed by the correlation coefficient 0.19 (0.14-0.23; p<0.001) with an undetectable concentration at the 10th hour for Eluvia® versus 3 days for ZilverPTX®. Significantly higher paclitaxel concentrations with ZilverPTX® PCS were observed in muscle samples at each timepoint: extensor digitorum brevis 3.2 (1.17-5.23; p=0.005), biceps femoris 4.27 (2.27-6.26; p<0.001), semi-tendinosus 3.79 (1.85-5.73; p=0.001), tibialis anterior 3.0 (1.37-4.64; p=0.001), and in the femoral nodes 2.27±1.74 ng/g versus 0.14±0.13 ng/g (p<0.001). Histological analysis revealed a trend for more marked intimal inflammation in the arteries stented with ZilverPTX® (p=0.063), especially after the 7th and 14th days.

CONCLUSION

Such a difference in the concentration of paclitaxel in the plasma, muscles, and lymph nodes between the two stents was higher than expected based on differences in device design. The clinical consequences of these results remain to be elucidated, particularly regarding the concerning presence of paclitaxel in muscles and adjacent lymph nodes.

CLINICAL IMPACT

This experimental study compares 2 paclitaxel-coated stents. It demonstrates that differences in stent designs and drug features (coatings and concentrations) translate into differences in terms of concentrations of paclitaxel in the plasma, muscles, and lymph nodes. Our results favor the Eluvia® stent over the ZilverPTX® stent, although more studies are required to confirm this conclusion.

Predictors of recurrence based on intravascular ultrasound findings after Eluvia placement in symptomatic peripheral arterial disease: A retrospective study

Background and Aims

Polymer-coated drug-eluting stents (Eluvia) have shown favorable clinical outcomes in real-world registries. There are no reports on recurrent predictors after Eluvia placement based on intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) findings.

Methods

We analyzed clinical data from the ASIGARU PAD registry, a retrospective, multicenter, observational study that enrolled patients who underwent endovascular therapy for superficial femoral and proximal popliteal arteries lesions using Eluvia or drug-coated balloon. The primary outcome was the identification of recurrent predictors, including IVUS parameters at 12 months. The rate of target lesion recurrence was also assessed.

Results

IVUS images were obtained in 54 of 65 cases. Seven recurrent cases (13.0%) were observed within 12 months. The random survival forest method presented eight predictive variables of recurrence: Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS), distal stent edge area, distal plaque burden, age, sex, distal external elastic membrane (EEM) area, minimum stent area (MSA), and distal lumen area. Furthermore, the partial dependence plot showed that frailty (CFS ≥ 6), smaller distal stent edge area, higher and lower distal plaque burden, older and younger age, female sex, smaller distal EEM area, smaller MSA, and smaller and larger distal lumen area predicted recurrence after Eluvia placement within 12 months.

Conclusion

CFS, distal stent edge area, distal plaque burden, age, sex, distal EEM area, MSA, and distal lumen area were significant recurrent predictors after Eluvia placement.

Three-Year Real-World Outcomes of Interwoven Nitinol Supera Stent Implantation in Long and Complex Femoropopliteal Lesions

BACKGROUND

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) remains a major issue in modern societies and affects more than 200 million people around the world. Endovascular methods have been evaluated to be safe and effective in limb salvage. The Supera is able to withstand increased compression, biomechanical stress and to have higher radial force. The objective of this study is to evaluate performance, durability and 3-year patency of Supera stent implantation in severe femoropopliteal disease.

METHODS

A retrospective real-world analysis was performed with consideration of 77 patients that had a Supera stent implanted with femoropopliteal atherosclerotic disease at a single center. Among the 77 individuals, 92 Supera stents were implanted. Analysis of patients' demographics, lesions characteristics, reintervention rates and patency rates was performed.

RESULTS

The median follow-up was 33 months and ranged from 0 to 84 months. Chronic limb-threatening ischemia was observed among 43 patients. Mean lesion length was 152.8 ± 94.6 mm. Chronic total occlusions were observed in a majority of lesions. Overall, primary patency rates at 6, 12, 24 and 36 months were 85.0%, 73.6%, 59.2% and 53.2%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The Supera stent is effective in the management of long and complex lesions. The results of patency rates were evaluated to be worse among lesions extending to the popliteal artery.

Hypoechoic Halo Imaging Findings Following Femoropopliteal Artery Stent Implantation: Risk Factors and Clinical Outcomes

BACKGROUND

Hypoechoic peri-stent areas in duplex ultrasonography (DUS) (ie, "halo") have been noted following femoropopliteal artery stenting.

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to investigate the prevalence, risk factors, and potential safety implications of hypoechoic halos identified with DUS following stent implantation in the IMPERIAL (ELUVIA Drug-Eluting Stent Versus Zilver PTX Stent) and EMINENT (Trial Comparing ELUVIA Versus Bare Metal Stent in Treatment of Superficial Femoral and/or Proximal Popliteal Artery) trials.

METHODS

The IMPERIAL and EMINENT studies of femoropopliteal artery stenting included polymer-based drug-eluting stent, nonpolymer drug-coated stent, and bare metal stent treatment arms. A dedicated DUS protocol was implemented for core laboratory assessment of halo presence at study follow-up visits. Logistic regressions were used to investigate risk factors for a halo sign and its impact on clinically driven target lesion revascularization and primary patency.

RESULTS

Diagnostic DUS imaging from 659 patients was obtained at time points ranging from 6 months to 5 years post-stent implantation. Halo prevalence ranged from 20% to 35% of patients with diagnostic DUS and was present at all time intervals. Halos were identified surrounding all stent types. In analyses of patients with diagnostic imaging from at least 2 visits, halo presence typically persisted, with occasional cases of regression and development at later times. No statistically significant association was found for halo status (ie, halo vs no halo) on 1-year clinically driven target lesion revascularization (OR: 1.27; 95% CI: 0.70-2.30; P = 0.4240) or primary patency (OR: 0.68; 95% CI: 0.43-1.07; P = 0.0927).

CONCLUSIONS

A hypoechoic halo following a femoropopliteal stent procedure is a common occurrence associated with all studied stent types. The presence of a halo appears to be benign with no associated clinical sequelae or effect on target vessel revascularization rates within 1 year of stent implantation.

One Year Outcomes of Zilver PTX Versus Eluvia for Femoropopliteal Disease in Real-World Practice: REALDES Study

PURPOSE

This multicenter, prospective, observational study aimed to compare Zilver PTX and Eluvia stents in real-world settings for treating femoropopliteal lesions as the differences in the 1-year outcomes of these stents have not been elucidated.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Overall, 200 limbs with native femoropopliteal artery disease were treated with Zilver PTX (96 limbs) or Eluvia (104 limbs) at 8 Japanese hospitals between February 2019 and September 2020. The primary outcome measure of this study was primary patency at 12 months, defined as a peak systolic velocity ratio of ≤2.4, without clinically-driven target lesion revascularization (TLR) or stenosis ≤50% based on angiographic findings.

RESULTS

The baseline clinical and lesion characteristics of Zilver PTX and Eluvia groups were roughly comparable (of all limbs analyzed, approximately 30% presented with critical limb-threatening ischemia, approximately 60% presented with Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus II C-D, and approximately half had total occlusion), except for the longer lesion lengths in the Zilver PTX group (185.7±92.0 mm vs 160.0±98.5 mm, p=0.030). The Kaplan-Meier estimates of primary patency at 12 months were 84.9% and 88.1% for Zilver PTX and Eluvia, respectively (log-rank p=0.417). Freedom from clinically-driven TLR rates were 88.8% and 90.9% for Zilver PTX and Eluvia, respectively (log-rank p=0.812).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the Zilver PTX and Eluvia stents were not different regarding primary patency and freedom from clinically-driven TLR at 12 months after treating patients with femoropopliteal peripheral artery disease in real-world settings.

CLINICAL IMPACT

This is the first study to reveal that the Zilver PTX and Eluvia have similar results in real-world practice when the proper vessel preparation is performed. However, the type of restenosis in the Eluvia stent may differ from that in the Zilver PTX stent. Therefore, the results of this study may influence the selection of DES for femoropopliteal lesions in routine clinical practice.

Two-year clinical outcomes and predictors of restenosis following the use of polymer-coated paclitaxel-eluting stents or drug-coated balloons in patients with femoropopliteal artery disease

We aimed to assess the clinical performance and risk factors for patency loss within 2 years following the use of polymer-coated paclitaxel-eluting stents (PC-PESs) and drug-coated balloons (DCBs) in patients with lower extremity artery disease. Multi-center registry data from 151 patients (65 and 86 treated with PC-PES and DCB, respectively) were retrospectively investigated. Two-year primary patency (PP) and clinically driven target lesion revascularization (CD-TLR) were evaluated using Kaplan-Meier analysis. Predictors of restenosis within 2 years of the procedures were analyzed using the random survival forest method. The consistent predictors of restenosis within 1 and 2 years were assessed and validated using Kaplan-Meier analysis. Two-year PP was 77.2 and 57.2% (log rank p = 0.047) and freedom from CD-TLR was 84.4 and 84.8% in the PC-PES and DCB groups, respectively (log rank p = 0.89). In the DCB group, most of the patients (n = 77, 89.5%) were treated with high-dose DCB. Consistent predictors of restenosis were lower vessel diameter and severity of Clinical Frailty Scale in the PC-PES group, and severity of peripheral artery calcification scoring system grade, severity of post dissection pattern, and smaller vessel diameter in the DCB group. The validation analysis revealed that patients with consistent predictors had significantly worse PP values than that of those without in the PC-PES (87.9% vs. 55.3%, log rank p = 0.003) and DCB groups (75.9% vs. 35.2%, log rank p = 0.001). The 2-year PP of DCBs was lower than that of PC-PESs. A smaller vessel diameter could predict restenosis in both devices. Vessel calcification and dissection should be considered when using DCB to ensure longer term patency.

Comparing the impact of the loss of patency between treatment with drug-coated balloon angioplasty and drug-eluting stent placement

OBJECTIVE

To compare the results of endovascular treatment with drug-eluting stents (DES) and drug-coated balloons (DCB) in atherosclerotic lesions in the femoropopliteal artery, as well as to assess restenotic patterns.

METHODS

Clinical data from 617 cases treated with DES or DCB for femoropopliteal diseases were analyzed in this multicenter, retrospective cohort study. From these, 290 DES and 145 DCB cases were extracted by propensity score matching. Outcomes investigated were 1- and 2-year primary patency, reintervention, and restenotic pattern and its impact on symptoms in each group.

RESULTS

The primary patency rates at 1 and 2 years in the DES group were superior to those in the DCB group (84.8% and 71.1% vs 81.3% and 66.6%, P = .043), whereas there was no significant difference in freedom from target lesion revascularization (91.6% and 82.6% vs 88.3% and 78.8%, P = .13). Compared with what was measured before the index procedures, exacerbated symptoms, rate of occlusion, and an increase in the occluded length at loss of patency were more frequent in the DES group than in the DCB group. The odds ratios were 3.53 (95% confidence interval, 1.31-9.49; P = .012), 3.61 (1.09-11.9; P = .036), and 3.82 (1.15-12.7; P = .029), respectively. On the other hand, the frequency of an increase in lesion length and requirement of target lesion revascularization were similar between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Primary patency was significantly higher at 1 and 2 years in the DES than in the DCB group. However, DES were associated with exacerbated clinical symptoms and complicated lesion characteristics at the point of loss of patency.

Treatment of Long Femoropopliteal Lesions With Self-Expanding Interwoven Nitinol Stent: 24 Month Outcomes of the STELLA-SUPERA Trial

PURPOSE

The performance of self-expanding interwoven nitinol stent (Supera) in femoropopliteal interventions has been proven through trials with short lesions and with relatively low proportion of occlusions. There is limited evidence of Supera stent in long lesions. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical safety and efficiency of the Supera stent in the treatment of long femoropopliteal lesions (Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus [TASC] C/D) in patients with symptomatic peripheral arterial disease (PAD).

METHODS

The STELLA SUPERA (STEnting Long de L'Artère fémorale superficielle par le stent métallique Supera) is a prospective, 2-center, single-arm study. Patients with symptomatic (Rutherford stages 2-6) de novo and TASC C/D lesions of the femoropopliteal segment were treated with Supera stent. The primary endpoint was the primary sustained clinical improvement at 12 months. Follow-up included clinical examination, duplex scan, and biplane X-ray up to 24 months.

RESULTS

Between December 2016 and October 2018, 48 symptomatic patients with 49 femoropopliteal lesions (TASC D = 32, 65%) were treated. The mean lesion length was 234 ± 123 mm, and 78% were total occlusion. The mean stented lesion length was 273 ± 127 mm. At 12 and 24 months, the primary sustained clinical improvement rate was 87.2% and 79.7%, respectively. The Rutherford category assessment was significantly improved at 24 months compared with baseline (p=0.02). At 24 months, the primary patency and freedom from target lesion revascularization (TLR) rates were 77.9% and 86.9%, respectively. The ankle-brachial pressure index increased from 0.62 ± 0.15 at baseline to 0.93 ± 0.15 at 24 months (p<0.0001). There were no stent fractures at 24 months.

CONCLUSION

The use of Supera stent in long lesions (TASC C/D) is a safe and effective endovascular alternative. These results reinforce the need for randomized clinical trials to assess the value of interwoven stents for long femoropopliteal lesions.

Vessel Patency and Associated Factors of Drug-Coated Balloon for Femoropopliteal Lesion

Background Although clinical trials have reported favorable outcomes after drug-coated balloon (DCB) therapy for femoropopliteal lesions, their real-world performance and predictors have not been well evaluated. This study aimed to elucidate 1-year freedom from restenosis and to explore the associated factors after a DCB for femoropopliteal lesions in clinical settings. Methods and Results This multicenter, prospective cohort registered 3165 de novo or restenotic femoropopliteallesions (mean lesion length, 13.5±9.3 cm; chronic total occlusion, 25.9%; severe calcification, 14.6%) that underwent successful DCB (Lutonix [24.2%] and IN.PACT Admiral [75.8%]) treatment between March 2018 and December 2019. Patency was assessed at 12±2 months. The primary outcome measure was 1-year freedom from restenosis and its associated factors. Bailout stenting was performed in 3.5% of patients. The postprocedural slow flow phenomenon was observed in 3.9% of patients. During a median follow-up of 14.2 months, 811 patients experienced restenosis. The Kaplan-Meier estimate of freedom from restenosis was 84.5% at 12 months (79.7% at 14 months). Focal, tandem, diffuse, and occlusive restenosis accounted for 37.4%, 9.8%, 18.9%, and 33.9%, respectively. Freedom from target lesion revascularization was 91.5% at 12 months. Risk factors independently associated with 1-year restenosis were a history of revascularization, smaller distal reference vessel diameter, severe calcification, chronic total occlusion, low-dose DCB, and residual stenosis. Conclusions The 1-year clinical outcomes after DCB use for femoropopliteal lesions in real-world practice was favorable. The additive risk factors were associated with a lower rate of freedom from restenosis.

A method of assessing peripheral stent abrasiveness under cyclic deformations experienced during limb movement

Poor outcomes of peripheral arterial disease stenting are often attributed to the inability of stents to accommodate the complex biomechanics of the flexed lower limb. Abrasion damage caused by rubbing of the stent against the artery wall during limb movement plays a significant role in reconstruction failure but has not been characterized. Our goals were to develop a method of assessing the abrasiveness of peripheral nitinol stents and apply it to several commercial devices. Misago, AbsolutePro, Innova, Zilver, SmartControl, SmartFlex, and Supera stents were deployed inside electrospun nanofibrillar tubes with femoropopliteal artery-mimicking mechanical properties and subjected to cyclic axial compression (25%), bending (90°), and torsion (26°/cm) equivalent to five life-years of severe limb flexions. Abrasion was assessed using an abrasion damage score (ADS, range 1-7) for each deformation mode. Misago produced the least abrasion and no stent fractures (ADS 3). Innova caused small abrasion under compression and torsion but large damage under bending (ADS 7). Supera performed well under bending and compression but caused damage under torsion (ADS 8). AbsolutePro produced significant abrasion under bending and compression but less damage under torsion (ADS 12). Zilver fractured under all three deformations and severely abraded the tube under bending and compression (ADS 15). SmartControl and SmartFlex fractured under all three deformations and produced significant abrasion due to strut penetration (ADS 20 and 21). ADS strongly correlated with clinical 12-month primary patency and target lesion revascularization rates, and the described method of assessing peripheral stent abrasiveness can guide device selection and development. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Poor outcomes of peripheral arterial disease stenting are related to the inability of stents to accommodate the complex biomechanics of the flexed lower limb. Abrasion damage caused by rubbing of the stent against the artery wall during limb movement plays a significant role in reconstruction failure but has not been characterized. Our study presents the first attempt at assessing peripheral stent abrasiveness, and the proposed method is applied to compare the abrasion damage caused by Misago, AbsolutePro, Innova, Zilver, SmartControl, SmartFlex, and Supera peripheral stents using artery-mimicking synthetic tubes and cyclic deformations equivalent to five life-years of severe limb flexions. The abrasion damage caused by stents strongly correlates with their clinical 12-month primary patency and target lesion revascularization rates, and the described methodology can be used as a cost-effective and controlled way of assessing stent performance, which can guide device selection and development.

Protocol of the evolution study: A prospective, multicenter, observational study evaluating the effect and health economics of endovascular treatment in patients with moderate and severe calcification of femoropopliteal artery

Objectives

Peripheral artery disease with calcification is extremely prevalent in the elderly. Due to the calcification, it requires a different clinical approach than the more common arteriosclerosis obliterans of the lower extremity. The introduction of novel technologies such as the drug-coated balloon, directional atherectomy, supera and drug-eluting stent has improved the prognosis of these patients. This study will contribute to the development of higher-quality evidence-based medicine for clinical treatment by assessing the quality of life (QOL), clinical treatment effect, and health economics of patients with calcification.

Method and analysis

The Evolution study is designed as a prospective, multicenter, observational, real-world study. From January 2021 to December 2022, 600 patients with moderate to severe femoropopliteal artery calcification will be recruited from ten locations in China. After discharge, information on demographics, disease history, procedure details, imaging findings, and follow-up will be collected. Patients will undergo follow-up at 1, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after operation. Technical success rate, vascular quality of life questionnaire, primary patency rate of the target lesion, clinically driven target lesion revascularization rate (CD-TLR), and health economics evaluation are all included as outcome measures.

Conclusions

The Evolution study helps to investigate the clinical and financial results of various endovascular therapy modalities for patients with moderate and severe femoropopliteal artery calcification. These actual facts may help to harmonize therapy recommendations for peripheral artery disease.

Clinical trial registration

The study protocol was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov (registration number: NCT04716361).

Is open surgery still the first line of treatment for long femoropopliteal lesions?

INTRODUCTION

Treatment of long femoropopliteal lesions remains a challenge for vascular physicians as patients often present with multilevel complex pathologies and consequently face a high amputation risk and associated mortality. This review aimed to assess the current state of optimal revascularizations for the treatment of long femoropopliteal lesions.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

An online literature research of medical databases for original articles and review articles on open and endovascular revascularization of femoropopliteal lesions was conducted using mesh terms.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

There has been an accumulation of evidence over the last years that endovascular treatment is a feasible and enduring alternative to open surgery for treatment of long femoropopliteal lesions if the lesions are restricted to the superficial femoral artery. But when disease extends to the infragenual level venous bypass remains superior with regards to long-term patency, clinical improvement and limb-salvage.

CONCLUSIONS

While the role of venous bypass as a first-line treatment might be declining, especially in frail patients or claudicants, the superior clinical improvement and amputation-free survival highlighted in several trials, demonstrate the relevance of bypass surgery. More randomized clinical trials are needed to verify the non-inferiority of endovascular treatment options to open surgery, especially when arterial disease extends below the knee.

Long-Term Results of Endovascular Treatment with Nitinol Stents for Femoropopliteal TASC II C and D Lesions

Background and Objectives: The feasibility of endovascular treatment (EVT) for Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus (TASC) II C and D femoropopliteal artery lesions has been described, but no prospective study has performed a long-term follow-up. The aim of this study was to report the long-term results of nitinol stents (NS) for the treatment of long femoropopliteal lesions. Materials and Methods: A single-center prospective, randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing EVT with NS and vein bypass surgery was previously performed. The EVT group’s follow-up was extended and separately analyzed with primary patency as the primary endpoint. The secondary endpoints were technical success, secondary patency, reinterventions, limb salvage, survival, complications, and clinical improvement. Results: Between 2016 and 2020, 109 limbs in 103 patients were included. A total of 48 TASC II C and 61 TASC II D lesions with a mean lesion length of 264 mm were reported. In 53% of limbs, the indication for treatment was chronic limb-threatening ischemia. The median follow-up was 45 months. Technical success was achieved in 88% of cases, despite 23% of the lesions being longer than 30 cm (retrograde popliteal access in 22%). At four-year follow-up, primary patency, secondary patency, and freedom from target lesion revascularizations were 35%, 48%, and 58%, respectively. Limb salvage and survival were 90% and 80% at 4 years. Clinical improvement of at least one Rutherford category at the end of follow-up was achieved in 83% of limbs. Conclusions: This study reports the longest follow-up of endovascular treatment with nitinol stents in femoropopliteal TASC II C and D lesions. The results emphasize the feasibility of an endovascular-first strategy, even in lesions beyond 30 cm in length, and clarify its acceptable long-term durability and good clinical outcomes. Large multicenter RCTs with mid- and long-term follow-up are needed to investigate the role of different endovascular techniques in long femoropopliteal lesions.

Impact of Chocolate percutaneous transluminal angioplasty balloon on vessel preparation in drug-coated balloon angioplasty for femoropopliteal lesion

Purpose

To compare the impact of Chocolate and conventional balloons on vessel preparation in percutaneous transluminal angioplasty.

Materials and methods

This single-center retrospective study included 111 endovascular therapy consecutive cases of femoropopliteal lesions using drug-coated balloon strategy with a 1:1 pre-dilation balloon diameter between February 2020 and August 2021, divided into the Chocolate percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (n = 48) and conventional (n = 63) groups. Before the availability of Chocolate balloons in Japan (December 2020), a standard semi-compliant or non-compliant balloon was used for vessel preparation. The primary endpoint was rate of severe dissection after pre-dilatation. Secondary endpoints were angiographic percent diameter stenosis, bailout stent rate, primary patency rate, and freedom from target-lesion-revascularization rate at six months.

Results

There was no significant difference in patient and lesion characteristics. The procedural characteristics comprised balloon length 90 ± 37 and 149 ± 95 mm (P = 0.004) and inflation pressure 11 ± 3 and 16 ± 7 atm (P < 0.001) in the Chocolate and conventional groups, respectively. Regarding primary endpoint, rates of severe dissection were 4.2% and 25% (P = 0.003); regarding secondary endpoints, percent diameter stenosis was 18 ± 15% and 20 ± 17% (P = 0.409), and the rate of bailout stenting was 2.1% and 15.9% (P = 0.016) in the Chocolate and conventional groups, respectively. The primary patency rates at six months were 89.1% and 85.2% (P = 0.670), and freedom from target-lesion-revascularization rate at six months was 100% and 92.8% (P = 0.691) in the Chocolate and conventional groups, respectively.

Conclusion

Chocolate percutaneous transluminal angioplasty balloons reduce the rate of severe dissection while maintaining a sufficient dilatation effect during drug-coated balloon vessel preparation.

Clinical Impact of Intravascular Ultrasound-Guided Fluoropolymer-Based Drug-Eluting Stent Implantation for Femoropopliteal Lesions

BACKGROUND

Treatment with a fluoropolymer-based drug-eluting stent (FP-DES has been widely applied to the contemporary femoropopliteal practice with durable outcomes. Nevertheless, the impact of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) utilization on clinical outcomes after FP-DES implantation has not been determined.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to investigate the impact of IVUS on 1-year clinical outcomes after FP-DES) implantation for femoropopliteal lesions in patients with symptomatic peripheral artery disease.

METHODS

As a subanalysis of the CAPSICUM (contemporary outcomes after paclitaxel-eluting peripheral stent implantation for symptomatic lower limb ischemia with superficial femoral or proximal popliteal lesion) study, the present investigation analyzed 1,091 patients with symptomatic peripheral artery disease who underwent endovascular therapy with FP-DES for femoropopliteal lesions. One-year clinical outcomes were compared between patients treated with IVUS and those treated without IVUS after propensity score matching. The primary outcome measure was 1-year restenosis. The incidence of aneurysmal degeneration was also assessed.

RESULTS

A total of 843 (77.2%) patients underwent IVUS-guided FP-DES implantation. After propensity score matching, the 1-year restenosis was not significantly different between the groups (11.5% [95% CI: 9.1%-14.0%] vs 15.5% [95% CI: 10.9%-20.1%]; P = 0.22). The frequency of aneurysmal degeneration at 1 year was significantly higher in the IVUS group than in the non-IVUS group (19.8% [95% CI: 16.3%-23.4%] vs 7.1% [95% CI: 3.3%-11.0%]; P < 0.001). IVUS use was associated with a lower restenosis risk in patients with chronic total occlusion but not in those without (P for interaction = 0.044).

CONCLUSIONS

The present study revealed that 1-year restenosis risk was not significantly different between the 2 groups, whereas the incidence of aneurysmal degeneration was significantly higher in the IVUS group.

1-Year Outcomes of Fluoropolymer-Based Drug-Eluting Stent in Femoropopliteal Practice: Predictors of Restenosis and Aneurysmal Degeneration

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to investigate the 1-year risk of restenosis and aneurysmal degeneration and explore the associated factors after femoropopliteal implantation of fluoropolymer-based drug-eluting stents (FP-DESs) for symptomatic atherosclerotic peripheral artery disease in real-world practice.

BACKGROUND

Although clinical trials have demonstrated that FP-DES implantation has favorable 1-year outcomes, its performance in real-world practice has not been well elucidated.

METHODS

This multicenter, prospective, observational study evaluated 1,204 limbs (chronic limb-threatening ischemia: 34.8%, mean lesion length: 18.6 ± 9.9 cm, chronic total occlusion: 53.2%, bilateral wall calcification: 41.9%) of 1,097 patients with peripheral artery disease (age: 75 ± 9 years, men: 69.4%, diabetes mellitus: 60.8%, chronic kidney disease: 66.2%) undergoing Eluvia (Boston Scientific) drug-eluting stent implantation for femoropopliteal lesions. The primary outcome measure was 1-year restenosis, whereas the secondary outcome measures were 1-year occlusive restenosis, stent thrombosis, target lesion revascularization, and aneurysmal degeneration.

RESULTS

The 1-year occurrence rates of restenosis (12.9%), occlusive restenosis (9.2%), stent thrombosis (3.3%), target lesion revascularization (6.2%), and aneurysmal degeneration (16.8%) were found. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that dialysis, chronic limb-threatening ischemia, history of revascularization, a smaller reference vessel diameter, chronic total occlusion, and spot stenting were significantly associated with an increased risk of 1-year restenosis, whereas intravascular ultrasound use and subintimal wire passage were significantly associated with an increased risk of 1-year aneurysmal degeneration.

CONCLUSIONS

This study documented the 1-year clinical outcomes after femoropopliteal endovascular therapy with FP-DES implantation in real-world practice. The 1-year restenosis rate would be clinically acceptable, whereas the occurrence of occlusive restenosis and aneurysmal degeneration should be noted.

Temporal Course of Vascular Response After Fluoropolymer Paclitaxel-Eluting Stent Implantation for Femoropopliteal Artery Lesions

BACKGROUND

Limited data are available regarding the vascular response after fluoropolymer paclitaxel-eluting stent (FP-PES) implantation. This study sought to assess the vascular response at 6 and 12 months after FP-PES implantation for femoropopliteal artery lesions using serial optical coherence tomography (OCT) examination.Methods and Results:From the IMPERIAL trial, this study evaluated 10 de novo femoropopliteal lesions treated with FP-PES. The primary study endpoint was neointimal tissue coverage at a 6- and 12-month follow up, as assessed by serial OCT examination. The incidence of peri-strut low-intensity area (PLIA) and extra-stent lumen (ESL) was also assessed. A total of 203 matched cross-sectional images were evaluated at 6 and 12 months (5,615 and 5,763 struts, respectively). From 6 to 12 months, the mean neointimal thickness tended to increase from 198 µm to 233 µm, with a significant reduction in the incidence of malapposed struts (0.59% vs. 0.28%, P=0.039). Conversely, uncovered struts and PLIA were more frequently observed at 12 months (4.4% vs. 7.8%, P=0.01; 12.7% vs. 21.0%, P<0.001, respectively). The ESL area significantly increased over time without any difference in its incidence (0.24±0.32 mm²vs. 0.38±0.36 mm², P=0.009).

CONCLUSIONS

Neointimal proliferation was markedly inhibited from 6 to 12 months after FP-PES implantation, whereas the incidence of uncovered struts and PLIA significantly increased over time with the enlargement of ESL.

Inhibition of edge stenosis of endografts in swine iliac arteries by a novel endograft with biodegradable coating at both ends

Objective

This study evaluated the effectiveness and safety of a novel endograft with a biodegradable coating at both ends in preventing edge stenosis in swine iliac arteries. The biodegradable coating was composed of polylactide and paclitaxel.

Methods

Four types of endograft were implanted in the iliac arteries of healthy swine: an endograft without coating (control group) and endografts with polylactide and paclitaxel coating containing 0.1, 0.3, or 3.6 μg/mm² of paclitaxel. The edge stenosis of these endografts in swine iliac arteries was assessed using angiographic image data at 30, 90, and 180 days after the operation. After terminal angiography, histologic evaluation of the treated arteries was performed. The treated sections of iliac arteries and blood samples were obtained at 1, 7, 30, 90, and 180 days for pharmacokinetic analysis.

Results

The results of angiographic and histologic evaluation demonstrated that intimal hyperplasia contributed to edge stenosis and polylactide-paclitaxel coating effectively inhibited edge stenosis. At 30 days, edge stenosis was observed at both the proximal and distal edges of the endograft without coating. At 90 days, edge stenosis was detected for the endograft coated with 0.1 μg/mm² paclitaxel, and ectasia dilation occurred at the proximal and distal edges of the endograft coated with 3.6 μg/mm² paclitaxel. No edge stenosis or other adverse effects were observed at 90 and 180 days for the endograft coated with 0.3 μg/mm² paclitaxel. In addition, for the endograft coated with 0.3 μg/mm² paclitaxel, a pharmacokinetic analysis showed that the paclitaxel concentration of treated segments decreased from 14 264 ± 1020 ng/g at day 1 to 80 ± 70 ng/g at day 90, and 20 ± 40 ng/g at day 180. The plasma paclitaxel concentration was low at day 1 and no longer detected after 7 days.

Conclusions

Polylactide and paclitaxel coating containing 0.3 μg/mm² paclitaxel at both ends of endografts effectively and safely inhibits edge stenosis in swine iliac arteries.

Delayed stenosis regression after drug-coated balloon angioplasty for femoropopliteal artery lesions

Paclitaxel has the potential for inducing lumen enlargement by vessel enlargement, healing of dissection, and plaque regression. This study was carried out to determine the possibility of and the relevant factors of delayed stenosis regression after drug-coated balloon (DCB) angioplasty for femoropopliteal (FP) artery lesions. A total 105 de novo FP lesions were finalized with DCB angioplasty in our institute between May 2018 and June 2020. Among them, cases in which residual stenosis was detected by duplex ultrasonography (DUS) after the procedure were included in this study. Significant stenosis was defined as peak systolic velocity ratio ≥ 2.4 by DUS. Follow-up DUS was routinely performed 6 months after the procedure, and we defined cases without stenosis as cases of delayed stenosis regression according to the follow-up DUS. DUS showed that 26 (25.5%) of 102 lesions had residual stenosis after DCB angioplasty, and delayed stenosis regression was observed in 12 (57.1%) of 21 lesions 6 months after the procedure. The percentage of lesions containing calcified plaque as detected by intravascular ultrasound analysis was significantly higher in the non-regression group than in the regression group (18.2% vs. 77.8%, p = 0.02). Vessel remodeling and dissection patterns were not associated with delayed stenosis regression. The results of our analyses indicate that delayed stenosis regression may occur after DCB angioplasty for FP lesions in more than half of cases with residual stenosis. Delayed stenosis regression may be difficult in cases of calcified lesions.

Clinical outcomes and predictors of restenosis in patients with femoropopliteal artery disease treated using polymer-coated paclitaxel-eluting stents or drug-coated balloons

Both polymer-coated paclitaxel-eluting stents (PC-PESs) and drug-coated balloons (DCBs) are used in conjunction with endovascular therapy (EVT) for the treatment of peripheral artery disease (PAD). We aimed to identify the risk factors for the loss of patency following the use of PC-PES and DCB in a real clinical setting. We assessed the multi-center registry data of 151 lesions from 151 patients who underwent EVT for symptomatic PAD in the superficial femoral and proximal popliteal arteries using PC-PES or DCB. One-year primary patency (PP) and clinically driven target lesion revascularization (CD-TLR) were evaluated using Kaplan-Meier analysis. The predictive risk factors for 1-year outcomes were analyzed using the random survival forest method. PC-PES and DCB were used in 65 (43.0%) and 86 (57.0%) cases, respectively. There were no significant differences in 1-year PP or freedom from CD-TLR between PC-PES and DCB. PP occurred in 85.4% and 80.2% of cases in the PC-PES and DCB groups, respectively (log-rank p = 0.65), while freedom from CD-TLR was noted in 92.7% and 94.1% of cases in the PC-PES and DCB groups, respectively (log-rank p = 0.73). In order of importance, a Clinical Frailty Scale score ≥ 6, female sex, lower proximal vessel diameter, lower body mass index, and younger and older age were identified as predictive risk factors of restenosis in the PC-PES group. Peripheral artery calcification scoring system grade of ≥ 2, post-dissection pattern ≥ D, lower proximal and distal vessel diameter, and lesion length ≥ 100 mm were identified as predictive risk factors of restenosis, in order of importance, in the DCB group. Both PC-PES and DCB were associated with favorable clinical outcomes within 1 year in patients with femoropopliteal artery disease. Furthermore, several factors that could predict restenosis within 1 year following the use of each device were detected.

2-Year Outcomes of the Eluvia Drug-Eluting Stent for the Treatment of Complex Femoropopliteal Lesions

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to evaluate the 2-year performance of a polymer-based drug-eluting stent (DES) for the treatment of complex femoropopliteal lesions.

BACKGROUND

Despite the promising early outcomes of the Eluvia DES, the long-term safety and efficacy of the device in a real-world scenario remain unclear.

METHODS

Between March 2016 and December 2018, 130 patients (137 lesions) with symptomatic femoropopliteal disease were included in this study. The primary outcome measure of this analysis was primary patency. Secondary patency, freedom from target lesion revascularization, freedom from surgical conversion, and overall mortality and morbidity were additionally analyzed.

RESULTS

The majority of patients presented with lifestyle-limiting claudication (n = 90 [69%]). The mean lesion length was 194 ± 108 mm, 74% of the lesions (n = 101) were chronic total occlusions, and 72% (n = 99) were calcified. Moderate to severe calcification (Peripheral Arterial Calcium Scoring Scale score 3 or 4) was observed in 48% of the treated vessels (n = 67). At 24 months, the Kaplan-Meier estimate of primary patency was 71%, whereas both the secondary patency rate and freedom from target lesion revascularization were 80%. Overall survival amounted to 85%. Freedom from major amputation was 98%, while freedom from surgical conversion was 89%. Degeneration of the vessel wall was observed in 27 lesions (20%).

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, use of the Eluvia polymer-based DES for the treatment of complex femoropopliteal disease showed promising 2-year results. Nonetheless, a relatively high rate of vessel wall degeneration was observed after DES deployment.

Aneurysmal Dilatation of the Superficial Femoral Artery After Endovascular Intervention

A patient with occlusion of the left superficial femoral artery (SFA) underwent endovascular intervention. Six-month follow-up angiography revealed aneurysmal dilatation of the previously stented artery. This finding may be a result of maladaptive vascular remodeling or arterial injury resulting in aneurysmal dilatation secondary to subintimal crossing, atherectomy, and paclitaxel therapies. (Level of Difficulty: Beginner.)

Aneurysmal degeneration of fluoropolymer-coated paclitaxel-eluting stent in the superficial femoral artery: a rising concern

BACKGROUND

Although several clinical reports demonstrated a durable patency rate after a novel fluoropolymer-coated paclitaxel-eluting stent (Eluvia; Boston Scientific, Marlborough, MA, USA) placement, aneurysmal degeneration after drug-eluting stent (Eluvia) placement has raised clinical concerns. Here, we report a case with progressive aneurysm formation on serial angiography and intravascular ultrasound over 50 months after drug-eluting stent (Eluvia) placement for a superficial femoral artery atheromatous plaque.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 79-year-old woman with right leg intermittent claudication at 100 m distance was referred to our hospital. Pre-procedural angiography showed long-segment severe stenosis from the middle-to-distal part of the right superficial femoral artery, and a 7 mm wide drug-eluting stent (Eluvia) was placed. However, the patient had a recurrence of intermittent claudication in the right lower extremity 25 months thereafter. Angiography revealed de novo stenosis in the distal part of the popliteal artery and proximal superficial femoral artery in-stent restenosis. Subsequently, the patient underwent endovascular therapy for these lesions. In addition, intravascular ultrasound at the time of endovascular therapy revealed femoral artery enlargement with a maximum vessel diameter of 10.0 mm at the distal edge of the stent. Intermittent claudication on the right side recurred again 50 months after drug-eluting stent (Eluvia). Angiography demonstrated de novo severe stenosis from the distal part of the superficial femoral artery to the middle part of the popliteal artery. Peri-stent contrast staining was found at the distal part of the drug-eluting stent (Eluvia) site. Intravascular ultrasound showed a further enlargement of maximum vessel diameter to 12.0 mm at the distal edge of the stent.

CONCLUSIONS

We report a case with progressive aneurysm degeneration on serial angiography and intravascular ultrasound over 50 months after drug-eluting stent (Eluvia) placement for a superficial femoral artery stenosis.

Endovascular Treatment of Long Femoropopliteal Lesions with Contiguous Bare Metal Stents

OBJECTIVES

Recent controversies on the use of drug coated/eluting devices in the arteries of the lower extremities renewed the focus on the evaluation of more conventional techniques. The results of the stenting of short and/or intermediate femoro-popliteal lesions are well known, but little data relate to the endovascular treatment of long femoro-popliteal lesions with contiguous bare metal stents (ETLFBS). The objective of this study was to report our results of ETLFBS.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Between January 2014 and December 2017, 1233 patients had an infrainguinal angioplasty in our center. The files of patients treated for femoropopliteal lesions longer than 250 mm using extensive stenting with contiguous bare metal stents were reviewed and analyzed. The primary outcome was the 12-month primary patency, defined by the absence of restenosis (≥50%) and/or reintervention on the target lesion. Continuous data were expressed as mean and standard deviation. Survival analysis was carried out according to Kaplan-Meier.

RESULTS

Overall, 64 patients aged 80 ± 11 years were included, with 49 (76.6%) presenting with critical limb ischemia. Lesions were classified as TASC D in 54.7% of the cases. The length of the lesions was 295 ± 64 mm and 3 ± 1 stents were implanted. The 30-day mortality was null but two patients (3.1%) presented nonvascular major complications. With a follow-up of 27 ± 17 months, 22 patients (34.3%) died including three of vascular causes. The healing of the trophic disorder was obtained in 77.5% of the cases. The rate of amputation was 10.9%. The 6-, 12-, and 24-month primary patency rates were 79.7%, 66.6%, and 60.9%, respectively. The 6-, 12-, and 24-month rates of freedom from target lesion revascularization were 96.3%, 73.9%, and 71.9%, respectively. The 6-, 12-, and 24-month survival rates were 90.3%, 83.6%, and 65.6%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The 12-month primary patency rate of ETLFBS is acceptable. This strategy constitutes an acceptable alternative in patients presenting with critical limb ischemia and a limited life expectancy.

Results of drug-eluting stent in significant restenosis of the hemodialysis access: An initial study

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to report the 12-month results of drug-eluting stent (DES) for the treatment of significant restenosis of the hemodialysis access.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 14 patients (seven men and seven women; median age 70 years; range of 50-83 years) with significant restenosis of hemodialysis accesses were enrolled from January 2017 to December 2018. A total of 10 arteriovenous graft (AVG) and four arteriovenous fistulae were treated with DES. Study outcomes included primary patency of the target lesion and circuit.

RESULTS

Venous anastomosis of the AVG was the most common target lesion for DES insertion (nine hemodialysis accesses). The range of follow-up time was 12-36 months. Primary patency rates of target lesion before DES (patency for last conventional balloon angioplasty [CBA]) versus target lesion after DES at 6 and 12 months were 29% versus 100% and 7% versus 86% (p < 0.001). Primary patency rates of pre-DES circuit (patency for last CBA) versus post-DES circuit at 6 and 12 months were 29% versus 64% and 7% versus 29%, respectively (p = 0.058).

CONCLUSION

DES might improve the patency rate of target lesion in patients with significant restenosis of the hemodialysis access.

"Low Echoic Area" around stent after bare and drug-coated stenting or stent graft placement for superficial femoral artery disease

Restenosis after stent implantation in femoropopliteal lesions is still big issue. However, restenosis has been reduced by the recent new drug-eluting stent “Eluvia” (Boston Scientific, Marlborough, MA, USA). However, it was reported that “low echoic area (LEA)” finding around stent by ultrasound that they called “aneurysmal degeneration,” but no blood flow was identified outside the stent was confirmed after Eluvia implantation. In this report, we describe the similar findings that were observed after other types of stents (S.M.A.R.T. bare-nitinol stent (Cordis Corporation, Hialeah, FL, USA), Zilver PTX drug-coated stent (Cook Medical, Bloomington, IN, USA), and Viabahn stent graft (W. L. Gore & Associates, Newark, Delaware, USA)) for superficial femoral artery disease. These findings did not change to “aneurysmal change” during the follow-up.

Influence of Elongation of Paclitaxel-Eluting Electrospun-Produced Stent Coating on Paclitaxel Release and Transport through the Arterial Wall after Stenting

It was previously shown that polycaprolactone (PCL)-based electrospun-produced paclitaxel (PTX)-enriched matrices exhibit long-term drug release kinetics and can be used as coatings for drug-eluting stents (DES). The installation of vascular stents involves a twofold increase in stent diameter and, therefore, an elongation of the matrices covering the stents, as well as the arterial wall in a stented area. We studied the influence of matrix elongation on its structure and PTX release using three different electrospun-produced matrices. The data obtained demonstrate that matrix elongation during stent installation does not lead to fiber breaks and does not interfere with the kinetics of PTX release. To study PTX diffusion through the expanded artery wall, stents coated with 5%PCL/10%HSA/3%DMSO/PTX and containing tritium-labeled PTX were installed into the freshly obtained iliac artery of a rabbit. The PTX passing through the artery wall was quantified using a scintillator β-counter. The artery retained the PTX and decreased its release from the coating. The retention of PTX by the arterial wall was more efficient when incubated in blood plasma in comparison with PBS. The retention/accumulation of PTX by the arterial wall provides a prolonged drug release and allows for the reduction in the dose of the drugs in electrospun-produced stent coatings.

Paclitaxel- and Sirolimus-coated Balloons in Peripheral Artery Disease Treatment: Current Perspectives and Concerns

Drug-coated balloons (DCBs) have become an established therapy for the treatment of above-the-knee peripheral artery disease. The paclitaxel DCB has shown clinical benefit in terms of patency and freedom from re-intervention in multiple randomised trials. However, a recent meta-analysis has suggested an association between mortality and the use of paclitaxel-coated devices. Sirolimus is another potential choice of anti-proliferative agent for use in DCBs because of its wider therapeutic index and lower risk for dose-dependent toxicity. More recently, encapsulating sirolimus in micro-reservoirs or polymers has facilitated the development of effective sirolimus DCBs, some of which are available in Europe and Asia. In this review, the authors focus on paclitaxel and sirolimus DCB technologies from the standpoint of drug characteristics and clinical trials.

Outcomes of the paclitaxel-eluting Eluvia stent for long femoropopliteal lesions in Asian patients with predominantly chronic limb-threatening ischemia

The fluoropolymer-coated, paclitaxel-eluting Eluvia stent has shown promising results for the endovascular treatment of femoropopliteal artery lesions in patients with claudication. The aim of the current study was to evaluate efficacy and safety outcomes of the Eluvia stent for the treatment of long femoropopliteal lesions in Asian patients. This is a single-center, retrospective study. The primary endpoint was primary patency at 1 year. Secondary outcomes were 30-days complication rate, technical success, 1-year freedom from clinically driven target lesion revascularization (CD-TLR), limb salvage, survival, amputation-free survival (AFS), wound healing, and clinical improvement. A total of 64 patients with 67 femoropopliteal lesions were included; 78% suffered from diabetes and 84% had chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI). Of those with ischemic wounds, 79% did not have run-off to the foot. Mean lesion length was 193 ± 128 mm and 52% were severely calcified. Primary patency at 1 year was 84% in the overall cohort and 91% in patients with complete lesion coverage with the Eluvia stent. Technical success was achieved in 100% of the cases and 30-day complications occurred in six patients. Twelve-month freedom from CD-TLR, limb salvage, survival, and AFS were 92%, 93%, 85%, and 80%, respectively. In 80% of patients, complete wound healing was experienced and 84% had clinical improvement after 1 year. The Eluvia stent showed promising 12-month patency and clinical results for femoropopliteal treatment in this CLTI-dominant patient population with severely calcified, long lesions. Patient numbers were, however, small; larger trials are required to validate these findings. Aneurysmal change seen in some cases also needs further investigation.

Vascular Response of a Polymer-Free Paclitaxel-Coated Stent (Zilver PTX) versus a Polymer-Coated Paclitaxel-Eluting Stent (Eluvia) in Healthy Swine Femoropopliteal Arteries

PURPOSE

To compare the long-term vascular healing responses of healthy swine iliofemoral arteries treated with a polymer-free paclitaxel-eluting stent (Z-PES, Zilver PTX) or a fluoropolymer-based paclitaxel-eluting stent (FP-PES, Eluvia).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Bilateral iliofemoral arteries in 20 swine were treated with a Z-PES (n = 16) or a FP-PES (n = 24) and were examined histologically at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months.

RESULTS

Morphometric analysis revealed larger external and internal elastic lamina, stent expansion, and lumen area in the FP-PES than in the Z-PES at all timepoints. Luminal narrowing was similar in the 2 groups at 1 month; however, greater stenosis was observed in the Z-PES group at 3 months, with significant regression thereafter, resulting in equivalent stenosis at 6 and 12 months. Greater drug effect and less complete vessel healing were found in the FP-PES group at all timepoints, including greater numbers of malapposed struts with excessive fibrin deposition at 1 and 3 months, than in the Z-PES group. Three of 12 FP-PESs from the 6- and 12-month cohorts also showed circumferential medial disruption with peri-strut inflammation, whereas no abnormal findings were observed in contralateral Z-PESs.

CONCLUSIONS

Prolonged paclitaxel release with the presence of a permanent polymer may contribute to the differential vascular responses seen for the Z-PES and FP-PES groups, including medial layer disruption and aneurysmal vessel degeneration that was sometimes observed in the FP-PES group. These distinct features should be confirmed by pathology and in vivo imaging of human superficial femoral arteries to determine their clinical significance.

Aneurysmal Degeneration After Paclitaxel-Eluting Balloon Angioplasty

Aneurysmal degeneration after peripheral angioplasty is a potentially serious complication. In this case, the patient underwent repeated angioplasty of a prior vein bypass graft utilizing a paclitaxel-coated balloon. He subsequently developed a progressive aneurysmal degeneration, threatening his bypass, which ultimately required an urgent exclusion with a covered stent. This case represents a rare complication of peripheral bypass graft related to percutaneous intervention as well as paclitaxel-coated devices and warns other practitioners of the increased scrutiny and caution one should exercise in the use of such interventions.

Two-Year Efficacy and Safety Results from the IMPERIAL Randomized Study of the Eluvia Polymer-Coated Drug-Eluting Stent and the Zilver PTX Polymer-free Drug-Coated Stent

PURPOSE

To report additional endpoints, including 2-year primary patency, patient outcomes, and safety results, as well as the initial assessment of hypoechogenic halo from the IMPERIAL Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

IMPERIAL RCT is a prospective, randomized (2:1), multicenter study of patients with symptomatic femoropopliteal artery lesions (length 30-140 mm, Rutherford category 2-4) treated with the Eluvia paclitaxel-eluting nitinol stent or the Zilver PTX paclitaxel-coated stent. Two-year follow-up included patency, safety, and mortality assessments and core laboratory-reviewed B-mode ultrasound imaging to screen for hypoechogenic halo in the stented segment, and assess blood flow.

RESULTS

At 24 months, all-cause mortality was 7.1% (21/295) for Eluvia and 8.3% (12/145) for Zilver PTX (P = 0.6649). The clinically driven target lesion revascularization rate was significantly less for patients treated with Eluvia vs Zilver PTX (12.7% vs 20.1%; P = 0.0495). The Kaplan-Meier estimate of primary patency at 24 months was 83.0% for Eluvia and 77.1% for Zilver PTX (log rank P = 0.1008). Transverse ultrasound imaging was implemented during the 24-month follow-up window and was evaluable for 27.5% (128/465) of patients. Hypoechogenic halo prevalence rates did not differ significantly between Eluvia and Zilver PTX study arms (33.7% [29/86] vs 21.4% [9/42]; P = 0.153). In no case was flow documented within the halo; no adverse events were associated with these ultrasound findings.

CONCLUSION

Two-year follow-up suggests a sustained advantage for Eluvia for avoiding target lesion revascularization. Initial hypoechogenic halo assessment showed no difference in prevalence between the study arms, no flow within the halo, and no associated adverse events.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT02574481. Date of registration: October 14, 2015.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level 1; randomized controlled trial.

Superficial Femoral Artery Pseudoaneurysm and Arterial Wall Destruction After Drug-Coated Balloon Treatment

Drug-coated balloon angioplasty may present an efficient alternative to traditional balloon angioplasty and stenting, which suffer from high rates of restenosis and increased risk of stent fractures in the anatomically unfavorable regions, such as the superficial femoral artery in the adductor canal. Although pseudoaneurysms are the most common vascular access site complications, they are considerably rarer at the site of the endovascular treatment. They can be caused by several mechanisms, including stent fractures, usage of oversized balloons, high-pressure inflations, and infections. In addition, paclitaxel, the drug released from drug-coated balloons, may also play a significant role in the formation and exacerbation of pseudoaneurysms. The exact pathophysiology remains unclear, but it may be due to a combination of paclitaxel's suppression of neointimal healing and immune response, cytotoxic properties, and hypersensitivity-related inflammation.

Use of heparin coated vascular stents in femoropopliteal chronic total occlusions: Long term outcomes

PURPOSE

To evaluate the long-term clinical efficacy of the Tigris © stent (Gore ©) in femoropopliteal chronic total occlusions (CTOs).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This single centre retrospective study included 29 patients treated with 47 Tigris© stents for CTOs. Lesion location, type, length, revascularisation method, smoking status and diabetes were reviewed. Clinical follow-up was performed. Primary safety points were complications and adverse events. Secondary efficacy points were symptom deterioration, freedom from target lesion revascularization (TLR) and amputation rate. Freedom from TLR was evaluated with Kaplan-Meier analysis; Cox multivariable logistic regression analysis of the factors associated with stent re-occlusion was also performed.

RESULTS

All procedures were technically successful without any peri- or post-procedural complications and adverse events. Median follow-up was 48 months (range: 7-70). Lesions were located in the superficial femoral (19), popliteal (3) and femoropopliteal (7) arteries with mean lesion length 13.9 ± 7.6 cm. In 12 patients subintimal recanalization was performed. Freedom from TLR rates at 6, 12, 18, 24 and 36 months were 96.6 %, 85.7 %, 81.9 %, 78.2 % and 74.3 % respectively. No stent fracture was observed and no amputation was performed in any of the patients. Smoking status, the presence of diabetes, lesion localization and recanalization type were not associated with stent re-occlusion.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that use of a heparin coated vascular stent for femoropopliteal CTOs appears to offer satisfactory long-term results.