Abstract:Objective: To investigate the short and medium term efficacy of Viabahn covered stent in treatment of arteriosclerosis obliterans of the lower limbs. Methods: The clinical data of 73 patients (73 affected limbs) with arteriosclerosis obliterans of the lower limb undergoing endovascular treatment from January 2013 to January 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. Of the patients, 32 cases underwent endovascular Viabahn covered stent placement (Viabahn stent group), and 41 cases received bare-metal stent placement (bare-metal group). The clinical outcomes between the two groups of patients were compared. Results: In Viabahn stent group compared with bare-metal stent group, the primary patency rate at postoperative 3 and 6 months showed no significant difference (96.8% vs. 90.2%; 87.5% vs. 75.6%, both P>0.05), but it was significantly increased at postoperative 9 and 12 months (84.4% vs. 63.4%; 75.0% vs. 51.2%, both P<0.05). Log-rank test result showed that the 12-month patency rate in Viabahn stent group was significantly higher than that in bare stent group (P<0.05). The ankle brachial index (ABI) at postoperative 12 months between the two groups had no significant difference (P>0.05). Conclusion: Viabahn covered stent placement following endovascular angioplasty has significant short and medium term efficacy in treatment of arteriosclerosis obliterans of the lower limbs, and it may be a therapeutic option for arteriosclerosis obliterans of the lower limbs with lesions close to, and especially those crossing over the knee joint.