The experience of two vascular centers in the use of supera stent for femoropopliteal lesions

BACKGROUND: Endovascular interventions are increasing in the treatment of long femoro-popliteal lesions. Standard laser-cut nitinol stents offer an acceptable midterm patency rate but still controversial in the longterm period, particularly in the setting of complex lesions. The Supera interwoven nitinol stent is designed to have superior radial strength and fractures resistance. METHODS: From January 2016 to July 2018, 32 patients (19 M / 13 F) with femoro-popliteal occlusion were treated at two italian vascular surgery centers. The majority of patients (24/32) were affected by critical limb ischemia (class IV-VI Rutherford). RESULTS: Thirty-eight Supera stents were successfully deployed. The mean length of the femoro-popliteal lesions was 102 ± 25 mm. The primary latency at 30 days was 100% without any stent fracture. During a mean follow-up of 19 months, two patients experienced an intrastent restenosis treated with a drug eluting balloon. In four cases occurred an occlusion of the stent: only two patients were successfully treated with intra-arterial trombolysis. The primary patency rate was 83% at nineteen months. One major amputation was necessary thus determining an overall limb salvage rate of 97%. CONCLUSIONS: The use by vascular surgeons of this relatively new device is feasible in the treatment of long femoro-popliteal lesions. Our results in this small population of diseased patients not suitable for surgery are promising