Subintimal stent placement in patients with long segment occlusion of the iliac artery

We evaluated the technical feasibility and clinical efficacy of subintimal stent placement for long segment occlusion of the iliac artery. From March 2003 to February 2007, subintimal stent placement for long segment occlusion of the iliac artery of 24 limbs in 22 patients was analyzed retrospectively. Endovascular access was performed via the ipsilateral femoral artery in 7 cases, via the contralateral femoral artery in 6 cases, via both femoral arteries in 10 cases and via the brachial artery in one case. The SAFARI (subintimal arterial flossing with antegrade-retrograde intervention) technique using a microcatheter was performed to recannalize iliac artery occlusion in three cases. Medical records were reviewed for the collection of follow-up data. The stent patency rate was analyzed by use of the Kaplan-Meier method. Subintimal stent placement was technically successful in 23 of 24 procedures (95.8%). The mean ankle-brachial index (ABI) increased form 0.26 to 0.82. The Fontaine classification was improved after stent placement in all patients. Major complications occurred in four procedures: three distal embolizations and one arterial rupture. All of the complications were successfully treated by endovascular intervention. The primary stent patency rates at 6-months, 1-, 2-and 3-years were 95%, 88%, 88% and 88%, respectively. Subintimal stent placement is a safe and effective treatment for long segment occlusion of the iliac artery