Influence of Stent Fracture on the Long-Term Patency in the Femoro-Popliteal Artery Experience of 4 Years

ObjectivesWe investigated the time course of stent patency in the femoro-popliteal artery for as long as 4 years.BackgroundStent fracture has been related to poor 2-year patency in the femoro-popliteal artery.MethodsWe studied 239 consecutive patients who underwent provisional de novo stenting with nitinol stents for 333 limbs (Luminexx stent [C. R. Bard, Inc., Murray Hill, New Jersey] in 91 limbs; Smart stent [Cordis Corp., Miami Lakes, Florida] in 242 limbs) from April 2004 to December 2007. Stent fracture was determined by X-ray with multiple projections. Patency was assessed by duplex ultrasonography as peak systolic velocity ratio