Treatment of popliteal artery aneurysms with the Hemobahn stent-graft

Purpose: To report a prospective study to ascertain the results of popliteal aneurysm treatment with a self-expanding stent-graft. Methods: In a recent 3-year period, 21 patients (18 men; median age 67 years, range 5282) with 23 popliteal aneurysms were treated with Hemobahn stent-grafts. Follow-up evaluation included duplex scanning, ankle-brachial index (ABI) measurements, and radiographic examination of the knee. Outcome measures were occlusion of the stent-graft and limb loss. Results: Technical success in placing the stent-graft and excluding the aneurysm was 100%. An additional vascular intervention was performed in the same session in 5 (24%) cases. In the other 16 patients, local anesthesia was used in 10 (63%). During a median follow-up of 15 months (range 2-37), 5 (22%) of 23 stent-grafts occluded, resulting in a cumulative patency of 74%. All occlusions occurred within 6 months after the intervention; 2 were successfully recanalized, and none of the 3 patients with persisting occlusion required an amputation. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that endovascular stent-graft repair of popliteal artery aneurysms is feasible. Midterm patency rates are lower compared to traditional surgical repair.