Effect of Target Lesion Revascularization on Restenosis Lesions of the Superficial Femoral Artery without Recurred Symptoms after Endovascular Therapy

Aim: This study aims to elucidate the effects of early application of target lesion revascularization (TLR) to restenosis lesions of the superficial femoral artery (SFA) without recurrence of symptoms. Despite recent improvements in endovascular therapy (EVT) for the SFA, restenosis remains to be a problem. However, restenosis is not always associated with the recurrence of limb symptoms. Although early application of TLR is not generally approved for restenosis lesions of the SFA without recurred symptoms, it is expected to contribute to long-term patency and other favorable outcomes. Nonetheless, its effectiveness remains to be determined. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 616 patients who developed restenosis after undergoing femoro-popliteal EVT for claudication (Rutherford category 1 to 3) due to de novo femoro-popliteal lesions between January 2010 and December 2016 at 11 centers in Japan. Recurred symptoms were defined as symptoms of the same or higher Rutherford categories than those immediately before the initial EVT. Results: Of the patients, 291 (47 %) lacked recurred symptoms; 69 (24 %) underwent TLR for restenosis. After propensity matching, the risk of occlusion was determined to be not significantly different between the TLR and observation groups; the 3-year occlusion-free rate was 68 % and 62 %, respectively (P=0.84). The risk of recurring symptoms, critical limb ischemia, and all-cause death was also found to be comparable between groups. The incidence of target vessel revascularization was significantly higher in the TLR than in the observation group (1.55 [95 % confidence interval: 1.25–1.93] vs. 0.59 [0.41–0.85] per 3 person-years). Conclusions: In patients with SFA restenosis without recurred symptoms, early application of TLR showed no advantages.