Percutaneous laser recanalization in chronically occluded iliofemoral venous stents

Occlusion is a challenging complication of endovenous stenting. The treatment of chronic iliofemoral stent occlusion involves wire recanalization followed by balloon angioplasty. However, this approach will not always be successful. To treat such cases, we have successfully used a laser recanalization technique in 34 limbs (31 patients). This technique involved the use of a laser to first create a channel through the chronically occluded stent, followed by balloon angioplasty to improve the caliber of this recanalized tract. The mean age of the patients was 52 ± 13.6 years (range, 24-73 years). No adverse events related to the use of the laser occurred. Following laser recanalization, the venous clinical severity score had improved from 8.2 ± 4 to 5.1 ± 3.3 (P < .0001). The visual analog scale score for pain had improved from 7.8 ± 2.5 to 4.9 ± 3 (P = .0009). The grade of swelling had improved from 2.7 ± 1.3 to 1.6 ± 1.4 (P = .0001). At 12 months after intervention, the primary stent patency was 60% (standard error of the mean, 9.3%), and the secondary stent patency was 80%. Excimer laser recanalization of chronically occluded venous stents appears to be a rarely required but useful modality with reasonable clinical outcomes. Further reinterventions might be required to maintain long-term stent patency.