Patency rates and clinical outcomes in a cohort of 200 patients treated with a dedicated venous stent.

OBJECTIVE

Minimally invasive interventions by recanalization, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty, and stenting in post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) obstructions and iliac vein compression syndrome (IVCS) have shown good results. Until recently, no dedicated venous stents were available, and stent-related issues accounted for a decrease in patency scores. The introduction of dedicated stents with more flexibility and higher radial forces could result in higher patency scores. This study focused on the outcomes of patients treated by a dedicated sinus-Venous stent (OptiMed GmbH, Ettlingen, Germany). Patency rates and clinical evaluation are described for both PTS and IVCS patients.

METHODS

A total of 200 patients treated at a tertiary university referral center were analyzed. A percutaneous procedure was performed in 103 (51%) PTS patients and 48 (24%) IVCS patients. In 49 (25%) patients, a hybrid procedure was executed. Patency rates and complications were analyzed by duplex ultrasound. Clinical improvement was scored by Venous Clinical Severity Score, Villalta scale, and venous claudication rates.

RESULTS

The mean age was 43.2 ± 14.5 (17-81) years, and 66% were female. Mean Villalta score decreased from 10.5 ± 4.2 (3-24) to 5.3 ± 3.8 (0-14) at the latest follow-up (P < .001). Venous Clinical Severity Score decreased by a total of 3 points (P < .001). At baseline, venous claudication was present in 132 patients, which subsided in 115 (87%). Overall patency scores revealed a primary patency of 68%, assisted primary patency of 83%, and secondary patency of 90% with a median follow-up of 12 (11-12) months. Of all included patients, 122 (61%) did not have a complication during follow-up; the most frequent complications were in-stent restenosis (n = 23) and occlusion (n = 25) of the stented tract.

CONCLUSIONS

Short-term clinical results using the sinus-Venous stent are comparable to previous research. Loss of stent patency due to stent-related issues like kinking or tapering is hardly ever seen in this short-term follow-up.