Femoropopliteal artery occlusion: clinical experience with the Kensey catheter.

In 25 patients, 12 with acute-subacute and 13 with chronic extensive femoropopliteal artery occlusions (mean length, 8 cm), a prospective study was performed after application of the Kensey catheter and subsequent performance of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA). Passage through the occlusion with the Kensey catheter failed in five patients because of the presence of dissections. As confirmed at angiography, free flow through the obstruction and the runoff bed could be restored with the Kensey catheter, guide wires, balloon dilation, and thrombus aspiration and/or thrombolysis in 24 of the 25 patients (96%). In five patients, peripheral embolisms occurred after application of the Kensey or balloon catheter. Cumulative patency rates, according to findings of a noninvasive examination, were 80% at 3 days, 59% at 6 months, and 38% at 12 months after performance of the combined interventions. Thus, the results obtained with use of this new device have not proved superior to previously reported results with conventional PTA.