ABSTRACT
AIM: Iliac and femoropopliteal arterial stenting remains controversial due to frequent restenosis. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of a mechanical rotational thrombectomy procedure with the Rotarex Mechanical Thrombectomy System (Straub Medical, Wangs, CH) and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) in terms of technical success, patency rates and limb salvage. METHODS: From May 2006 to March 2010, 32 selected patients with sub-acute or chronic in-stent restenosis at the iliac or femoropopliteal arteries were treated with a Rotarex and then PTA procedure. RESULTS: Technical success was 100%. Intra-procedural complications included a superficial femoral artery (SFA) dissection (1), SFA (1) and external iliac (1) perforations and a groin hematoma (1). There was no incidence of embolization in this series. One patient required reintervention (3.1%); an attempted surgical bypass and amputation. Secondary reinterventions were required in 17 patients (53.1%). Limb salvage rate at 12 months was 90.6%. Primary patency at 30 days was 96.8%. Primary, primary assisted and secondary patency rates at 6 months were 75%, 75% and 89.6% and at 12 months were 58.1%, 58.1% and 75.5%, respectively. Late mortality was 18.75% at an average follow-up of 13.1 months (3-45) due to the severe disease state of these patients.. CONCLUSION: This treatment seems promising in terms of technical success and embolization risk. Reinterventions are frequently required but mid-term limb salvage rates are encouraging. Larger, randomised studies are needed to determine the cost/benefit advantage and long-term results.