Nitinol Stent Versus Bypass in Long Femoropopliteal Lesions: 2-Year Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial

This study sought to compare patency rates and clinical outcomes of nitinol stents and primary vein bypass in long femoropopliteal lesions. An endovascular-first strategy for long femoropopliteal lesions is widely recommended without sufficient data comparing it with bypass surgery. Nitinol stents are widely used as the standard endovascular therapy. A single-center randomized controlled trial was performed with the primary endpoints of technical success, primary and secondary patency. Secondary endpoints were limb salvage, survival, complications, and clinical improvement. A total of 110 limbs (55 per group) in 103 patients were treated. Baseline and lesion characteristics were similar, with a mean lesion length of 276 mm. Critical limb threatening ischemia was the indication for treatment in 49% of limbs in both groups. Technical success was achieved in 87% in the stent group. During a 2-year follow-up, patency rates, limb salvage, survival and complications showed no significant differences between both groups. At 24 months, primary and secondary patency rates for the stent group were 60% and 72% versus 56% and 73% in the bypass group, respectively. Clinical improvement was significantly better in the bypass group. There were no significant differences regarding patency rates, limb salvage, survival, or complications after 2 years. Technical success and clinical improvement in the bypass group were significantly better, but the promising results of the stent group suggest that an endovascular-first strategy for femoropopliteal lesions up to 30 cm may be reasonable. Mid- as well as long-term results need to be awaited.