Endovascular Infrainguinal Revascularization: Technical Tips for Atherectomy Device Selection and Procedural Success

The superficial femoral artery (SFA) is the interventionalist’s most frequent adversary in infrainguinal revascularization, and we have yet to conquer it. Despite having numerous devices and techniques in our arsenal, we have, in large part, been unable to devise a treatment that yields not only excellent, safe, and reproducible acute outcomes, but also consistently good results at long-term follow-up. Angioplasty and stenting of the SFA has come under severe criticism due to numerous reports of stent fractures, unacceptable restenosis rates, and lack of US Food and Drug Administration−approved specific stents in this location. An alternative to displacement techniques is now being pursued. These include debulking the atheromatous plaque. We review these techniques and also offer helpful tips to achieve maximum success in infrainguinal revascularization.