Initial experience in the treatment of chronic superficial femoral artery occlusions with fiberoptic guidance technology.

Background Although procedural success rates for treating chronic occlusions are relatively high, dissections and perforations often require stenting. Methods. A fiberoptic guidance system that visualizes lesion characteristics and incorporates a radiofrequency energy source to aid in crossing total occlusions was used in three men and one woman with superficial femoral artery lesions that were 8-50 cm long and 5-144 months old. Results. Five lesions were attempted and successfully crossed, and there were no observed dissections or perforations. Ankle-brachial indexes returned to normal in two of the four patients. The guidance system was useful in visualizing and treating chronic total femoral occlusions.