Stent puncture for recanalization of occluded superficial femoral artery stents.

Purpose: To describe a technique to recanalize occluded superficial femoral artery (SFA) stents without inflow or outflow in patients with proximal SFA obstruction.
Technique: After a failed attempt to engage an occluded stent through an antegrade femoral approach, a distal retrograde puncture of the proximal part of the stent was performed. After subintimal rendezvous with a catheter advanced from the antegrade access, in-stent angioplasty can be performed to recanalize the stent and SFA.
Conclusion: Direct retrograde puncture of an occluded stent may be considered an approach to recanalization in patients with stent occlusion and no inflow or outflow.