DAART vs PTA/SUPERA STENTING FOR POPLITEAL ARTERY LESIONS

The purpose of this study was to compare the results of directional atherectomy with antirestenotic therapy (DAART technique) and angioplasty/Supera stenting for the treatment of popliteal atherectomy lesions.

Inclusion Criteria:patients with lifestyle limiting intermittent claudication ischemic rest pain, ischemic ulcers or gangrene (Rutherford class 3 to 6) who presented atherosclerotic lesions in the popliteal artery undergoing endovascular treatment by DAART of PTA/Supera stenting and at least a 12-months of follow-upExclusion Criteria:Exclusion criteria were patients who could not receive antiplatelet or anticoagulation therapies. Other exclusion criteria were patients with aneurysm of the ipsilateral superficial femoral artery or popliteal artery, acute thrombus, unsalvageable limb, very limited life-expectancy or with doubts in their willingness or capability to allow follow-up examinations.