Retrograde Popliteal Access to Percutaneous Peripheral Intervention for Chronic Total Occlusion of Superficial Femoral Arteries

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study is to present our initial experience with the use of the retrograde popliteal artery access in patients with chronic total occlusions of superficial femoral artery (SFA). Method: From July 2012 to May 2014, a total of 28 patients (20 men, mean age 61.2 ± 11.5 years) with total occlusion of the SFA and good distal runoff were treated with percutaneous atherectomy, balloon angioplasty, and stenting (mean length 165.3 ± 57.5 mm, range 72-336 mm). All patients had severe claudication or critical limb ischemia, and most of the lesions were TransAtlantic Inter-Society Consensus classification type D (n = 21). Results: Technical success was achieved in all cases. In majority (26, 92.8%) of the patients, endoluminal recanalization was possible from the popliteal access; SFA recanalization in the other 2 cases was obtained through the subintimal space. During a mean follow-up of 12.9 ± 2.5 months, claudication, severity, rest pain, and toe ulcers improved significantly. Ankle–brachial index changed from 0.54 ± 0.11 to 0.91 ± 0.2 at 1 year after intervention ( P < .001), and patency rates at 1, 6, and 12 months after interventions were 100%, 92.8%, and 85.7%, respectively. One pseudoaneurysm and 1 arteriovenous fistula were found in the popliteal region on duplex examinations. There were 2 in-stent restenosis and 3 occlusions during the 12-month follow-up. These occlusions were treated with reendovascular procedures. Our secondary patency rate was 96.4%. No stent fracture was observed. Conclusion: The retrograde popliteal artery approach under duplex guidance can be considered as safe, efficient, and the primary SFA recanalization strategy in carefully selected patients, with competitive immediate and mid-term results.