Heparin-Bonded Viabahn and Drug-Eluting Bare Metal Zilver (PTX) Sandwich Stents in Femoral Chronic Total Occlusion: A Retrospective Review of Mid-Term and Long-Term Outcomes

Articles describe a retrospective cohort study to assess the feasibility of reducing neointimal hyperplasia following interventions in chronic total occlusive peripheral vascular disease. The “sandwich” technique implemented is a novel modified angioplasty technique that combines heparin-bonded (Viabahn) stents with drug-eluting stents (Zilver PTX) deployed during arterial recanalisation. A review of 46 cases underwent this procedure at our institution as a limb saving procedure is conducted to determine mid-long-term patency outcomes and identify any subsequent interventions. Followup demonstrates favourable mid-long-term patency in 50% of TASC-C cases. No documented postprocedural complications were noted with unrelated observed mortality rates in either TASC-C or TASC-D subgroups. An observed advantage could be gained by using this new stenting technique via the subintimal recanalisation route. Albeit not statistically significant, type II diabetics and patients on aspiring had better sustained patency angioplasties. The sandwich technique has been shown to effectively offer symptoms relief and reduce total duration of hospital stay. Study findings support the need to evaluate the long-term efficacy through a larger longitudinal prospective study. However, to overcome the encountered study limitations, a well-structured methodology for comparison with conventional angioplasty techniques is essential to assess the synergetic potential of the sandwich technique.