Drug-Eluting Stents for Infrainguinal Occlusive Disease: Progress and Challenges

High restenosis rate is still the major limitation of peripheral arterial interventions. Within the last years, drug-eluting stents have gained wide acceptance in the coronary arteries, however, these devices are not currently available for arteries outside the coronary vasculature. This article summarizes the special role of the superficial femoral artery in restenosis, with efforts being made to reduce the restenosis rate in this artery, focusing on stents and drug-eluting stents.