Influence of Stent Fracture on the Long-Term Patency in the Femoro-Popliteal Artery

Objectives We investigated the time course of stent patency in the femoro-popliteal artery for as long as 4 years. Background Stent fracture has been related to poor 2-year patency in the femoro-popliteal artery. Methods We studied 239 consecutive patients who underwent provisional de novo stenting with nitinol stents for 333 limbs (Luminexx stent [C. R. Bard, Inc., Murray Hill, New Jersey] in 91 limbs; Smart stent [Cordis Corp., Miami Lakes, Florida] in 242 limbs) from April 2004 to December 2007. Stent fracture was determined by X-ray with multiple projections. Patency was assessed by duplex ultrasonography as peak systolic velocity ratio Results Primary patency was 81%, 74%, 68%, and 65% at 1, 2, 3, and 4 years, respectively. Stent fracture occurred in 14% (78 of 544) per stent and 17% (55 of 333) per limbs. Stent fracture was significantly associated with multiple stent deployments (with fracture = 2.3 ± 0.9 stents vs. without fracture = 1.5 ± 0.7 stents, p Conclusions Stent fracture worsened the patency during the first 2 years, but it did not apparently affect patency beyond 2 years. In particular, complete stent separation did not affect patency.