Endovascular treatment of multilevel chronic total occlusion using a stent puncture technique in Buerger's disease

Abstract

We reported a patient with Buerger's disease who presented with critical limb ischemiawith prior recurrent occlusions after multiple surgical and endovascular treatments. Total occlusion of the whole native femoropopliteal and infrapopliteal arteries was observed. The femoropopliteal bypass graft, as well as a stent that was implanted in the mid-popliteal artery, were also occluded. Because of the lack of distal targets for bypass, surgical revascularization was not feasible; therefore, we decided to perform endovascular treatment. To overcome the limitation of vascular access, the previously implanted popliteal stent was directly punctured, and a guide wire was passed through the bypass graft. After the organized thrombus in the bypass graft was aspirated, further recanalization below the popliteal stent down to the plantar arteries was performed successfully. In conclusion, the stent puncture technique is a feasible and safe option for overcoming the limitations of vascular access in patients with multilevel occlusions.