CHRONIC ILIAC ARTERY OCCLUSIONS - PRIMARY RECANALIZATION WITH ENDOVASCULAR STENTS

PURPOSE: The authors describe treatment of chronic iliac artery occlusions with primary stent placement without prior thrombolysis or angioplasty. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eight patients with chronic iliac artery occlusions (six men and two women) underwent primary stent placement without prior use of thrombolytic agents or angioplasty. Palmaz stents were placed in seven patients and a Wallstent device was placed in one. RESULTS: In all patients, revascularization was successful without residual stenoses or pressure gradients. There was no angiographic evidence of distal embolization. CONCLUSION: Primary stent placement for chronic iliac artery occlusions without prior thrombolysis or angioplasty appears to be safe and efficacious and is potentially cost effective.