Percutaneous endovascular repair of popliteal artery aneurysms

Background To evaluate percutaneous endovascular repair of popliteal artery aneurysms (PAAs) using self-expanding covered stent grafts. Methods A retrospective record review of consecutive patients who underwent percutaneous endovascular PAA repair across 2 Australian centers between April 2009 and May 2012 was performed. Results We report 16 patients (mean age: 77.3; 93% men) with PAA in 20 limbs who underwent percutaneous endovascular repair using self-expanding covered stent grafts. The mean aneurysm diameter was 3 cm (range: 2-5.1 cm). Ultrasound-guided percutaneous antegrade access was used in all cases: 16 superficial femoral artery punctures and 4 common femoral artery punctures. The mean number of runoff vessels per limb was 1.84 (42%, 1 vessel; 32%, 2 vessels; and 26%, 3 vessels). Technical success was 100%. A mean number of 1.82 stents were deployed in each limb (range: 1-3). The mean stent diameter was 8.84 (range: 6-13). The median follow-up time was 12 months (range: 0-24 months). Primary patency of 85% and secondary patency of 90% were achieved in our study. The limb loss and mortality rate were 5% both in a patient with an undiagnosed prothrombotic condition. Puncture site complications were seen in 1 patient (5%) who had a bleeding diathesis. Conclusions Percutaneous endovascular repair of PAA using self-expanding stent grafts can be safely performed and achieved good results achieved in most patients.