In endovascular therapy of lower-extremity arteriosclerosis obliterans, attention has been focused on the proper management of the lesions involving the popliteal artery. In this paper, the author discussed the technical essentials of endovascular treatment for popliteal arteriosclerotic lesions from aspects of the anatomical features of the popliteal artery, choice of treatment method, whether stent placement is required and stent selection. It is pointed out that avoidance of stent implantation in the popliteal segment should be considered as the overriding principle; for those cases where stent treatment must inevitably be performed, the essential strategy for improving long-term efficacy is based on the appropriate selection of stent and a suitable stent implantation strategy, and lessening the alterations of the initial morphological pattern and hemodynamics of the popliteal artery after stent implantation.

Arteriosclerosis Obliterans; Popliteal Artery; Endovascular Therapy