ABSTRACT
0.15) was 81%(17/21) and the clinical improvement of symptoms was achieved in 95%(20/21) of cases.The 17 cases were followed up for a mean of 15.7 months(range,12～35 months).One patient died of cerebral infarction at 6 months postoperatively.One patient with stent occlusion at 3 months after operation was given an embolectomy(the artery has remained patent for 13 months).Stent occlusion also happened in 2 patients(at 3 and 4 months after operation,respectively),on whom a subsequent infragenicular femoropopliteal bypass was operated,and in 2 other patients(at 8 and 12 months after operation,respectively),on whom a below-knee amputation was operated.At one year postoperatively,the patency rate was 75%(15/20) after primary operation and 80%(16/20) after re-operation.The rate of clinical improvement of symptoms was 75%(15/20).The limb salvage rate in patients with critical limb ischemia was 88%(14/16).Conclusions Primary angioplasty with self-expending nitinol stent implantation is a safe, minimally invasive,and effective method,which can be used as the first choice for femoral arterial occlusive diseases,especially in senile patients who cannot tolerate bypass procedures.