Two cases of subintimal angioplasty with proximal stent implantation for long superficial femoral artery occlusions

Abstract

Subintimal angioplasty is a simple and safe alternative to conventional intraluminal angioplasty for the recanalization of diffuse long femoropopliteal occlusions. However, long-term patency rates are unsatisfactory despite the high initial technical success rates. Two cases of occluded left superficial femoral arteries are presented in which subintimal angioplasty with proximal stent implantation was successfully performed. Self-expanding nitinol stents were placed at the proximal part of subintimal plane to maintain good inflow. In both cases, follow-up angiogram at 6 months demonstrated patent stents with good antegrade flow.