To assess the efficacy of stent-assisted recanalization for the management of acute limb ischemia (ALI) after a failed surgical revascularization in patients with acute iliac arterial occlusion and considered unfit for a thrombolysis.

The data on 6 patients with acute limb ischemia due to iliac arterial occlusion, and treated with stent implantation between November 2005 and March 2008, was analyzed retrospectively. The reasons for ALI in the patients analyzed included acute thrombosis related to a traumatic injury (n=3), acute in-situ thrombosis with pre-existing atherosclerotic stenosis (n=2), and cardiogenic embolism (n=1). A preprocedural CT angiography and conventional angiography revealed an occlusion at the iliac artery. This study examined the clinical data, technical and clinical outcome of the procedure, and complications related to the procedure or follow-up period for each patient.

Primary stenting was technically successful in all patients, thus resulting in the reduction or elimination of clinical symptoms in the 5 patients observed. One patient expired due to multi-organ failure related to a reperfusion injury. The other five patients showed good clinical results without symptom recurrence and normal duplex USG or CT angiographic findings during the 3-15 month follow-up period.

A stent-assisted recanalization is an effective treatment for patients with ALI, which are considered unfit for thrombolysis and surgical recanalization.