Territory- and Lesion-Specific Endovascular Strategies in Lower Limb Peripheral Artery Disease: A Cohort Study

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Authors: Thierry Unterseeh, Livio D’Angelo, Mariama Akodad, Youcef Lounes, Hakim Benamer, Benjamin Honton, Antoine Sauguet, Stephane Cook, Mario Togni, Luca Esposito, Gaetano Liccardo, Neila Sayah
+8 more Pietro Leonida Laforgia, Nicolas Amabile, Thomas Hovasse, P. Garot, Antoinette M. Neylon, Francesca Sanguineti, Stéphane Champagne, Ioannis Skalidis
Cited by: 1
References: 9

Abstract

(1) Background: Endovascular therapy is widely used for lower limb peripheral artery disease (PAD), yet device performance varies across vascular territories due to anatomical and biomechanical differences. This study evaluated territory- and lesion-specific outcomes following contemporary endovascular strategies in a real-world cohort. (2) Methods: This retrospective single-center study included consecutive patients undergoing endovascular revascularization of the iliac, superficial femoral (SFA), or popliteal arteries between 2010 and 2023. The primary endpoint was 12-month binary restenosis (≥50% diameter loss) assessed by duplex ultrasonography, CT angiography, or invasive angiography. Secondary outcomes included target lesion revascularization and procedural complications. Kaplan–Meier analysis was used to evaluate restenosis-free survival. Multivariable Cox models were constructed separately for each vascular territory, adjusting for relevant clinical and anatomical covariates. (3) Results: A total of 283 lesions were included (iliac n = 135; SFA n = 145; popliteal n = 102). At 12 months, restenosis rates differed substantially by treatment modality and arterial territory. In the iliac segment, covered stents demonstrated the lowest restenosis (12.8%), whereas in the SFA, interwoven nitinol stents yielded the most favorable profile (15.4%). In the popliteal artery, drug-coated balloons were associated with the lowest restenosis rate (16.7%). In multivariable analysis, covered stents (iliac), interwoven nitinol stents (SFA), and drug-coated balloons (popliteal) were independently associated with lower restenosis risk. Procedural success was high and complication rates were low. (4) Conclusions: Endovascular device performance is strongly influenced by arterial territory and lesion characteristics. Tailoring the treatment strategy to vessel biomechanics and lesion morphology may optimize mid-term patency in lower limb PAD. Larger prospective studies are warranted to validate these findings.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Peripheral Artery Disease Management Aortic aneurysm repair treatments Diagnosis and Treatment of Venous Diseases

Publication details

Journal / source
Journal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease
Publisher
MDPI AG
Volume
13
Issue
1
Pages
29–29
Publication date
4 January 2026
Language
EN