Below knee arterial stent angioplasty for the treatment of critical limb ischemia

Objective To explore the safety and feasibility of calf arterial stent angioplasty to treat severe lower limb ischemia. Methods Clinical data of 13 patients in our hospital during recent 3 years were retrospectively analysed and all these patients were followed up after discharge.Of these patients there were 10 males and 3 females; mean age was (73 ±7) years; mean disease course was (8 ±4) months.Severe claudication was reported in 5 patients,rest pain in 4 patients,toe ulcer in 2 patients,gangrene in 2 patients.Stent was placed in the tibioperoneal trunk artery in 5 patients ; in the proximal part of peroneal artery in 3 patients; in the tibioperoneal trunk and proximal peroneal artery in 2 patients; in the anterior tibial artery in 2 patients; in the posterior tibial artery in one patient.Simultaneous endovascular treatment of femoral/popliteal arterial disease was done in 11 patients. Results All the procedures were successful and the treated arteries kept patent on discharge of patients.Claudication distance increased to be above 500 meter in 5 patients; rest pain relieved in 4 patients ; toes ulcer reduced in 2 patients,feet gangrene kept dry till discharge in 2 patients.Postoperative ABI increased in all patients.Patients were followed-up of mean (6.9 ± 2.2) months.One patient with previous toe gangrene underwent amputation due to recurrent pain while the stent in anterior tibial artery kept patent after 6 months discharge.In the other patient gangrene toe had fallen off and the wound healed.Two patients with toe ulcer had a total recovery and patients with previous rest pain had no recurrent symptoms. Conclusions Below knee arterial stent angioplasty is a safe and effective method in the treatment of severe lower limb ischemia. Key words: Arterial occlusive diseases; Angioplasty; Stents; Lower extremity; Ischemia