Histological Evaluation of a Self-Expanding Stent-Graft 23 Months After Implantation in the Superficial Femoral Artery.

PURPOSE: To report histological examination of a Viabahn stent-graft implanted in the superficial femoral artery (SFA) for nearly 2 years.

CASE REPORT: A 78-year-old man with peripheral artery disease was treated successfully with a 6.0×250-mm Viabahn self-expanding stent-graft in the right SFA, relieving his lower limb claudication. The patient died suddenly due to acute myocardial infarction 23 months later. Histological evaluation of the stent-graft implantation site revealed moderate neointimal proliferation at both proximal and distal edges of the device. In the middle part of the stent, significant macrophages and multinucleated foreign body giant cells had accumulated, although the stent was entirely patent. Furthermore, no endothelial cell coverage was found.

CONCLUSION: Judging from these features, it might be necessary to continue dual antiplatelet therapy after stent-graft implantation over the long term to prevent thrombosis and subsequent restenosis or reocclusion.