Endarterectomy of a Previously Stented Common Femoral Artery

Abstract

Objective: To review the surgical results of common femoral artery (CFA) endarterectomy in which a stent had been previously placed. Patients: We performed surgical revascularization in 3 patients who had already undergone percutaneous transluminal angioplasty with stenting in the CFA. All patients were men with vessel claudication. Self-expanding stents were placed in 2 patients, and an expandable balloon stent was placed in 1. In each patient, femoral endarterectomy with partial or total stent removal was performed. Previous stents extending to the superficial femoral artery (SFA) were transected just distal to the origin of the deep femoral artery. In 2 patients with iliac stenosis, concomitant iliac stenting was performed. Results: All the patients recovered well with resolution of their claudication. Conclusion: Femoral endarterectomy can be performed successfully even in patients with previously stented CFA. Total removal of the previous stents which extended to the SFA was not necessary.