Performance of self-expanding covered stents in the femoropopliteal artery

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a global problem with a prevalence between 3 and 12%. It is estimated that > 200 million people worldwide are living with PAD. The prevalence increases up to 15-20% over the age of 70 years. In patients with symptomatic PAD, the femoral and popliteal arteries are affected in 80-90%. Although the use of an autologous venous conduit in the treatment of extensive chronic occlusive disease of the superficial femoral artery (SFA) is still considered to be the gold standard treatment for complex lesions there has been a change in treatment modalities and guidelines in the last decades. For short lesions in the SFA percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) already was the primary treatment option. Further research showed that the patency significantly increased by combining PTA with a stent. There are several types of stents which can be used in treating PAD. Our study researched the covered stent. This stent has a polytetrafluorethylene lining which inhibits stenosis. Endovascular treatment compared to surgery has several advantages; local anesthesia, a short hospital stay and patients mostly only have a puncture wound. Endovascular treatment shows a reduction in complication rate, fast recovery and quick hospital discharge. Therefore treating PAD with covered stents may be an alternative for or postpone surgery, in a carefully selected patient group.