Abstract
Objectives: The objective is to report the feasibility and technique of treating popliteal artery aneurysms (PAA) with a stent made of nitinol rings externally supported by thin polyester (Anaconda limbs). Background: PAA are the most common peripheral aneurysms. The main limitations of stents used in these settings are: short lengths, longitudinal and horizontal compliance mismatch; graft failure from angulation and movement at the joint level; and dislodgment. Methods: This is a prospective multicenter cohort study of consecutive symptomatic and asymptomatic PAA treated in tertiary vascular centers. Outcomes included patency of the stent and postoperative time‐to‐independent‐ambulation and to‐climb‐a‐flight‐of‐stairs. Results: Fourteen PAA were treated in 12 men, age 72 ± 3 years. The median ASA classification was 2.5. The length of artery covered was 147 ± 41 mm. The PAA diameter was 31 ± 5 mm, 6 were symptomatic. One stent was used in 6 aneurysms, two in 7, and three in 1. The average stent diameter was 10 ± 1 mm. The length of the proximal neck was 24 ± 6 mm with a diameter of 9.8 ± 1.9, and length of the distal neck 23 ± 3 mm with a diameter of 8.7 ± 1.2 mm. In 6 aneurysms, the stent crossed the knee joint. There was no mortality, and one stent occluded (primary patency 93% at 6 ± 3 months). The median hospital stay was 1.7 days, time to independent ambulation was 3 hr and the time to climbing a flight of stairs was 1 day. Conclusions: The use of Anaconda limbs for endovascular repair of PAA is feasible and safe. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.