Dhrubo Imteaz
Introduction
Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) involving the superficial femoral (SFA) and popliteal arteries often requires intervention to restore blood flow. While traditional bypass surgery offers high durability, it is highly invasive and requires prolonged hospitalization. In contrast, endovascular stenting using the Bard LifeStent—a self-expanding Nitinol system—provides a minimally invasive alternative. This approach is ideal for day-case or single overnight stays, significantly accelerating patient recovery.
Methods
A retrospective cohort study was conducted at Cumberland Infirmary to audit the durability of Bard LifeStents over a 2-year period (March 2021 to November 2023). Cases were identified via interventional radiology systems and the Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS). The study evaluated 57 total stents, including 48 Bard LifeStents, 3 drug eluting and 6 bare metal stents focusing on primary and secondary patency.
Results
The audit evaluated 57 total stents, achieving a 1-year primary patency rate of 77.2%. The assisted primary patency rate was 86%(n=6). In the specific subset of 48 Bard LifeStents, the 1-year primary patency rate was 77% (n=37), while the secondary patency rate reached 90%(n=5) with 6 cases requiring assisted patency. These findings closely align with the landmark RESILIENT trial, which reported 81% primary patency and a 90% secondary patency at 12 months.
Conclusion:
Rapid technical evolution has revolutionized the treatment landscape for PAD, enabling clinicians to address more severe arterial occlusions through a minimally invasive approach. The Bard LifeStent system delivers consistent clinical outcomes that mirror international trial standards while facilitating a fast-track, day-case surgical model.
Authors
Sam Bloomer, Shafayat Imteaz, Theo Ojimba
Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle, United Kingdom