By Christopher J. Kwolek, MD, MBA, DFSVS, FACS
The superficial femoral artery (SFA) and popliteal artery have complex biomechanics and undergo severe conformational changes, which makes this vessel segment a hostile environment for stent placement.This arterial segment is highly dynamic and exposed to forces such as compression, elongation, torsion, and bending (Figure 1). In the distal SFA and proximal popliteal artery, the axial shortening is even higher than in the distal popliteal artery. Click here to read the full article.