Value of covered stents to improve patency of long-segment SFA revascularization.

Endovascular treatment has become first-line approach for revascularization of long and complex femoropopliteal lesions in many centers. This development urges the need for endovascular approaches with a sustainable success in terms of patency. In several recently published trials the Viabahn® endoprosthesis by Gore (W.L. Gore Inc, Flagstaff, AZ, USA) has shown promising patency rates comparable or even better than traditional surgical bypass procedures with prosthetic material.