Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Iliofemoral Stenting for Post-thrombotic Syndrome

• Published in: European journal of vascular and endovascular surgery 2019-03, Vol.57 (3), p.407-416
• Main Authors: Qiu, Peng, Zha, Binshan, Xu, Aman, Wang, Wenbin, Zhan, Yanqing, Zhu, Xingyang, Yuan, Xiao
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Endovascular Procedures - adverse effects; Endovascular Procedures - instrumentation; Female; Femoral Vein - diagnostic imaging; Femoral Vein - physiopathology; Femoral Vein - surgery; Humans; Iliac Vein - diagnostic imaging; Iliac Vein - physiopathology; Iliac Vein - surgery; Male; Meta-analysis; Middle Aged; Outcomes; Post-thrombotic syndrome; Postoperative Complications - etiology; Postthrombotic Syndrome - diagnostic imaging; Postthrombotic Syndrome - physiopathology; Postthrombotic Syndrome - surgery; Risk Factors; Stents; Systematic review; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; Vascular Patency; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1078-5884; 1532-2165
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejvs.2018.09.022

Stent placements are considered as a treatment for post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) with iliofemoral obstruction, but the application of these iliofemoral venous stents has also caused a lot of controversy. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to summarise the efficacy and safety of venous stents in PTS with obstruction in iliofemoral venous segments. MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register for Controlled Trials databases and key references were searched up to 15 January 2018. The main relevant outcomes included technical success, peri-operative complications, symptom resolution, a change of symptom scores, and long-term patency of the stents. Overall, 504 limbs of 489 patients from seven studies were included in this study. A GRADE assessment showed the quality of the evidence was “very low” for 11 relevant outcomes. The technical success rate was 95%. The pooled rate of complications including 30 day thrombotic event, per-operative venous injury, and back pain was 3.4%, 18.14%, and 52%, respectively. The rates of ulcer healing, pain and oedema relief were 75.66%, 52%, and 42%, respectively. The primary, assisted primary and secondary patency rates were 83.36%, 90.59%, and 94.32%, respectively, at 12 months and 67.98%, 82.26%, and 86.10%, respectively, at 36 months. Endovenous stenting has the potential to be effective and has a low risk of peri-operative complications. The quality of evidence to support this treatment is very low. Endovenous iliofemoral stenting should be considered a treatment option for PTS with iliofemoral obstruction.