The Study to Compare SMART Nitinol Stent and Balloon Angioplasty

The study population will consist of 120 symptomatic peripheral vascular disease patients with SFA occlusions. The disease will consist of symptomatic, de novo or restenotic occlusions (5 - 22 cm) on diagnostic imaging. The occlusions must not extend beyond the proximal popliteal artery. For the purpose of this protocol, no lesion within 3 cm of the upper part of the patella may be treated. At least one calf vessel must be patent. Reference vessel diameter must be >= 4.0 to <= 6.0 mm.

Trial participants who meet all entry criteria, will be randomized to the SMART™ Nitinol Stent or balloon angioplasty.

Patients will be followed for 12 months after the procedure. Study examinations will be done at screening, procedure time, discharge, 1, 6 and 12 months after the study procedure.

This study will be conducted as an investigator initiated multicenter study with 6 study centers in Switzerland. Principal investigators will be Prof. Amann, PD Dr. med T. Pfammatter (University Hospital Zürich) and Prof. I. Baumgartner, Prof. J. Triller (University Hospital Bern).

Inclusion criteria

• Symptomatic leg ischemia by Rutherford Classification (category 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5); duration of intermittent claudication (category 1-3) should be at least 3 months;
• One de-novo or restenotic SFA with an occluded length > 5 to < 22 cm;
• Patent popliteal artery on the index side (without > 50% stenotic (re) stenotic lesions) and at least single vessel infrapopliteal runoff (without > 50% stenotic (re) stenotic lesions). However, balloon angioplasty to further improve the blood flow is allowed at the index procedure.

Exclusion criteria

• Revascularization involving the same limb 30 days prior to the index procedure or a planned revascularization within 30 days after the index procedure;
• Patients having severe stenoses or total occlusions of the iliac artery on the same side must be excluded. However, intervention to restore adequate blood flow during the index procedure (prior to the treatment of the target lesion) is allowed;
• Requiring stent placement in the popliteal artery. For the purpose of this protocol all lesions are to be located at least three centimetres proximal to the superior edge of the patella.