DCB Compared Stenting in Popliteal Lesions

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 18 years or older

• Symptomatic peripheral artery disease:

• Moderate or severe claudication (Rutherford category 2 or 3)

• Critical limb ischemia (Rutherford category 4 or 5)

• Atherosclerotic popliteal artery disease (stenosis > 50%)

• Patients with signed informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Acute critical limb ischemia

• Severe critical limb ischemia (Rutherford category 6)

• Involvement of SFA disease with stenosis

• Continous total occlusion of all proximal infrapopliteal arteries (origin of theanterior tibial artery or tibioperoneal trunk).

• Known hypersensitivity or contraindication to any of the following medications:heparin, aspirin, clopidogrel, or contrast agent

• Age > 80 years

• Severe hepatic dysfunction (> 3 times normal reference values)

• Significant leucopenia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia, or known bleedingdiathesis

• LVEF < 40% or clinically overt congestive heart failure

• Pregnant women or women with potential childbearing

• Life expectancy <1 year due to comorbidity

• Previous bypass surgery or stenting for the target popliteal artery

• Untreated inflow disease of the ipsilateral pelvic or femoropopliteal arteries (morethan 50% stenosis or occlusion)