How should recent endovascular trials for femoropopliteal artery disease be interpreted?

Abstract

Most cases of femoral-popliteal disease require aggressive medical treatment, but patients with severe lifestyle-limiting symptoms and limb-threatening disease are increasingly receiving endovascular treatment. The femoropopliteal artery is the longest vessel in the thigh and the unique physical forces involved in this vessel are considered to cause high rates of restenosis and stent fracture. Endovascular therapy for superficial artery (SFA) disease is still a challenge in terms of long-term patency and clinical effectiveness. The purpose of this brief review is to reexamine previously published key trials in order to identify and compare the differences of each study. Discussion of how to interpret the results of these studies is vital for the incorporation of the data into actual real-life cases.

Keywords: Angioplasty; Prospective randomized study; Stent; Superficial femoral artery.