Abstract: [Abstract] Objective   To evaluate the short and medium term therapeutic effects of VIABAHN-covered stent in treatment of arteriosclerosis obliterans of lower extremity. Methods   Of 53 arteriosclerosis obliterans of lower extremity cases with C/D TASC levels, 22 was performed VIABAHN-covered stent (stent group), while 31 were treated by femoral-popliteal artery bypass grafting surgery (graft group). The arterial patency rates were analyzed 3 and 6 months after the two different surgeries. Results   The arterial patency cases were 28 (90.3%) at 3 months and 26 (83.9%) at 6 months in stent group while 22 (100%) at 3 months and 21 (95.5%) at 6 months in graft group. There were no significant differences according to the arterial patency rate at 3 months and 6 months between the two different surgeries (χ2 is 0.808 and 0.760 respectively, P>0.05). Conclusion   VIABAHN-covered stent can be used as the preferred treatment for arteriosclerosis obliterans of lower extremity.

Key words: arteriosclerosis obliterans, lower extremity, viabahn stent, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene