Initial results of concomitant cryoplasty after remote endarterectomy of the superficial femoral artery: a feasibility study (cryoplasty following remote endarterectomy).

OBJECTIVE

Remote endarterectomy is a less invasive technique compared with supragenicular bypass surgery for superficial femoral artery (SFA) occlusive disease. Early restenosis remains one of the drawbacks of this procedure. To prevent restenosis following remote endarterectomy, concomitant cryoplasty of the desobstruct SFA was introduced.

METHODS

A prospective cohort study was initiated with 17 patients treated with cryoplasty of the SFA after remote endarterectomy. Indications for surgery were claudication (n = 12), rest pain (n = 3), or tissue loss (n = 2).

RESULTS

There were no technical failures. The Kaplan-Meier estimate of the primary and assisted primary patency rate after 1 year of follow-up was 74%. Secondary patency was 89%. Limb salvage was 100%. No aneurysmal degeneration and no other adverse events occurred during the follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

This pilot study showed that cryoplasty after remote SFA endarterectomy is a safe procedure, with promising patency rates.