Retrograde transpopliteal approach of iliofemoral lesions.

PURPOSE: Aim of this study is to present our initial experience with the use of the retrograde popliteal artery access in patients with certain anatomic lesions.

METHODS

Between September 2008 and September 2010, 24 patients underwent a transpopliteal retrograde subintimal recanalization. Instead of its usage when antegrade recanalization failed, the "facedown" technique was preferred as a first choice in patients with common femoral artery stenosis or occlusion, proximal lesions of the superficial femoral artery (SFA) with no stump, severe obesity, tandem iliac, and SFA lesions.

RESULTS

Technical success was achieved in 91.7% of patients.The complication rate was 12.5%. The primary patency at 6, 12, and 18 months was 86.4%, 65.8%, and 65.8%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The retrograde popliteal artery approach can be considered as the primary SFA recanalization strategy in carefully selected patients, with competitive immediate and midterm results.