Treatment of Takayasu's aortitis with self-expanding metallic stents (Gianturco stents) in two patients.

Gianturco self-expanding metallic stents were successfully placed to treat incomplete balloon dilatation of the abdominal aorta in 2 patients with Takayasu's aortitis. In 1 case eleven 1-cm long, 1-cm diameter stents were inserted in tandem to bridge a long stenosis. In the other patient, four stents 1.5 cm long, 1.5 cm in diameter were inserted in tandem to bridge what had been a complete occlusion prior to balloon angioplasty. Clinical symptoms, as well as angiographic findings, improved significantly after placement of the stents. The patients underwent repeat aortography at 10 and 8 months, respectively, and were followed clinically for a total of 18 months and 15 months, respectively, without clinical evidence of deterioration. Our results show the usefulness of expandable metallic stents in the treatment of aortic stenosis due to Takayasu's aortitis that remains unresponsive to balloon dilatation.