What is SFA occlusive disease?

Abstract. The prevalence of intermittent claudication in men aged 55-74 years is 4.5 per cent and a common cause of such claudication is superficial femoral artery (SFA) occlusive disease. The preferred management of patients with this condition remains a subject of discussion.

How is femoral artery stenosis treated?

The preferred revascularization strategy for symptomatic common femoral artery stenosis is unknown. Common femoral endarterectomy has been the preferred treatment for many years, with proponents emphasizing its feasibility, safety, durability and long-term patency.

How is popliteal artery occlusion treated?

Surgical therapy for popliteal artery occlusion involves bypass of the occlusion, which can be achieved with grafts, including great saphenous vein (GSV) or prosthetic (eg, polytetrafluoroethylene [PTFE]) grafts.

What is left SFA stenosis?

For purposes of this study the SFA was defined as extending from the origin of the profunda femoris artery to the level of the knee joint (recognizing that anatomically this includes the proximal popliteal artery). An SFA “lesion” was defined as any distinct stenosis causing ≥10% diameter reduction on the arteriogram.

What makes SFA disease so difficult to treat?

Part of what makes SFA disease problematic to treat is the significant length of the artery, as well as its location at two points of flexion in the leg. “This is a long segment of artery that extends from the groin to all the way behind the knee,” Rosenfield said.

What is the progression rate of SFA lesions?

In 1991 we reported an analysis of SFA stenosis progression in which 72% of SFA lesions remained stable. 4 The average stenosis progression rate of all lesions, those that progressed and those that did not, was 12% diameter reduction per year.

What was the purpose of the SFA study?

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of superficial femoral artery (SFA) stenosis morphologic characteristics and lesion location on the rate of atherosclerotic disease progression.

What are the characteristics of a SFA stenosis?

Distinct SFA stenoses or occlusion on the final arteriogram (n = 98) were characterized by their location, length, stenosis severity, and morphologic appearance on the initial arteriogram. The contribution of patient-specific risk factors to disease progression was also assessed.