Lucie Mercier

Objective: To describe early and midterm outcomes of Viabahn stenting for extensive aortoiliac occlusive disease involving the external iliac artery (EIA). Methods: In this single-center retrospective study, all consecutive patients in whom a covered self-expanding (SE) Viabahn stent was implanted (W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc, Flagstaff, Arizona) in the EIA for symptomatic Trans-Atlantic Intersociety Consensus (TASC) II C and D lesions between 2012 and 2020 were included. Lesions limited to the iliac artery were treated percutaneously. Iliac lesions extending down to the common femoral artery (CFA) were treated with a hybrid approach. Patency, major adverse limb events (MALEs), target lesion revascularization (TLR), and limb salvage rates were estimated using Kaplan-Meier curves. Results: Of 118 limbs, 48 (41%) were treated for claudication, 33 (28%) for rest pain, and 37 (31%) for tissue loss. Lesions were TASC C (n = 43 limbs, 36%) or TASC D (n = 75 limbs, 64%). Chronic total iliac occlusions were identified in 26 limbs (22%). Concomitant CFA lesions were recorded in 97 limbs (82%). All lesions involved the EIA. Technical success was achieved in 100% of cases. Six (5.7%) perioperative major adverse cardiovascular events occurred, including 4 (3.8%) deaths. Eleven (7.6%) early MALEs were recorded. Two-year primary patency, assisted primary patency, and secondary patency were 85%, 88%, and 95%, respectively. After multivariate analysis, small-diameter stents (P = .014) and lower freedom from TLR rates (HR 2.61, 95% CI: 1.02-6.66, P = .045). Adjunctive CFA endarterectomy was significantly associated with higher primary patency rates (HR 0.38, 95% CI: 0.15-0.95, P = .038). Conclusion: The use of Viabahn SE covered stents for extensive aortoiliac disease involving the EIA provided acceptable postoperative morbidity and high rates of midterm secondary patency, similar to those usually reported with aortobifemoral bypass. Adjunctive CFA endarterectomy was a major determinant of patency and should be considered an essential component of the treatment strategy. Additional long-term data are necessary to evaluate the role of SE covered stents for the treatment of such lesions. Clinical Impact: The endovascular management of extensive aortoiliac occlusive disease involving the external iliac artery remains challenging. This study represents one of the largest series dedicated to the treatment of TASC II C and D lesions involving the external iliac artery with self-expanding covered stents. The results suggest mid-term secondary patency rates comparable to those commonly reported after aortobifemoral bypass. Notably, concomitant common femoral bifurcation treatment and the use of ≥8-mm diameter stents were associated with improved patency rates, suggesting that aggressive management of common femoral artery lesions and the use of larger-diameter stents may contribute to optimizing long-term outcomes.