Outcomes of Zilver PTX stent implantation for the treatment of complex femoropopliteal artery disease

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Zilver PTX, the first drug-eluting stent, in patients with complex femoropopliteal (FP) artery disease. Between July 2012 and March 2013, 60 consecutive patients (39 males; mean age: 72.5 +/- 8.6 years) with complex risk factors including TASC II C/D lesions, in-stent restenosis (ISR) and/or on haemodialysis underwent successful Zilver PTX implantation for symptomatic FP artery disease. The primary outcome was primary patency, which was defined as freedom from restenosis at 12 months, as verified by duplex ultrasound. Secondary outcomes included the technical success rate, the freedom from target lesion revascularisation (TLR) rate and the amputation-free survival (AFS) rate. The average follow-up period was 13.2 +/- 5.3 months. 62 % of the patients had TASC II C/D lesions, 35.0 % experienced ISR, and 41.6 % were on haemodialysis. The mean lesion length was 188 +/- 96 mm. The technical success rate was 98.3 %. The primary patency rate was 50.2 %, the freedom from clinically driven TLR rate was 68.6 %, and the AFS rate was 83.2 % at 12 months. In conclusion, Zilver PTX stent implantation for complex FP artery disease did not affect long-term durability.