Guenther Wittenberg MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Armin Halla, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Margarete Hoehmann, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Frank Wendel MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Christian Oliver Ritter MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Dietbert Hahn MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

In time an increasing number of reports about stent fractures in the femoral arteries is published. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and the clinical impact of stent fractures in the iliac, the femoral and the popliteal arteries investigating different kind of stents. Also risks based in patients for stent fractures were searched.

In a period of 68 months 405 stents were placed in 168 patients (most placed stents: 104 Boston-Scientific Wallstent-Uni, 92 Jostent Selfx Xpert, 79 Bard Luminexx, 62 Guidant Dynalink, 29 Guidant Absolute 0.35, 24 Cordis Smart Control, and others). 127 stents were placed in the iliac, 232 in the femoral and 46 in the popliteal arteries. The mean follow up time was 12.7 months (range: 1 day up to 68 months). The follow up examinations included colour-coded duplexsonography, x-ray of the stent and if there was a restenosis also angiography.

Overall stents 56 stent fractures were detected (41 minor, 7 moderate and 8 major fractures). 18 fractures were located in the iliac, 30 in the femoral and 8 in the popliteal arteries. In 250 overlapping stents 22 fractures were seen in 2 overlapping, 8 in 3 overlapping and 4 in 5 overlapping stents. 22 fractures were located in single stents. The period between placement and fracture varied between 1 day and 18 months (in mean time: 2.9 months). One stent fracture resulted in an acute occlusion of the artery. In 3 cases a Re-PTA was done after a hemodynamic stenoses after stent fracture. No stent fragement dislocated in lower artery parts. Over 60% of stent fractures were seen in extremely sclerotic arteries. The intimal hyperplasia rate after stent fractures is similiar to the rate in cases without stent fracture.

Stenting of iliac, femoral and popliteal arteries is still a safe procedure and the clinical impact of the stent fractures is very low. The number of stent fractures increased with the sclerosis of the artery wall.

Wittenberg, G, Halla, A, Hoehmann, M, Wendel, F, Ritter, C, Hahn, D, Stent Fractures after Lower Limb Artery Stenting: Evaluation of Different Stent Types and of the Clinical Impact.  Radiological Society of North America 2005 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 27 - December 2, 2005 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2005/4414699.html