Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the midterm results of Remedy® biodegradable stents, which have recently come into use for lower-extremity arterial occlusive disease.
Methods: Sixty-five patients, who underwent surgical intervention in various cardiovascular surgery clinics throughout Turkey, were included in the study. The total number of stents used was 92. The mean age of the patients was 64.11 ± 24.13 years (20-82), and 16 (24.6%) were female. The mean number of stents per patient was 1.42, and 70.7% of the lesions were TASC type A. Patients were followed for a mean of 32 months. Sixty-five patients underwent a control examination using either digital subtraction angiography or colour Doppler ultrasonography. In-stent restenosis was defined as ≥ 50% stenosis in the stent area in asymptomatic patients. The procedure was repeated if the degree of stenosis was ≥ 70%.
Results: During the follow-up period, restenosis (≥50% stenosis) was observed in seven patients (10.7%). The patency rate after secondary intervention was 100%, and there was no loss of limbs in any patient. Restenosis was observed in six patients with superficial femoral artery stents, and in one patient with a popliteal arterial stent.
Conclusion: Our experience shows that Remedy® biodegradable peripheral stents were safe and effective in our cohort of patients, with acceptable patency rates.