Efficacy and Safety of Venous Sac Embolization With or Without Feeding Artery Embolization Versus Feeding Artery Embolization Alone in the Management of Pulmonary Arteriovenous Malformations: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

PURPOSE

To evaluate by meta-analysis the safety and efficacy of venous sac embolization (VSE) with or without feeding artery embolization versus feeding artery embolization (FAE) alone in the management of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs).

METHODS

This systematic review and meta-analysis was performed and reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A systematic literature search was performed in MEDLINE, Embase, and Scopus till August 31, 2021 to identify studies comparing the safety and efficacy of VSE with or without FAE versus FAE alone in PAVMs. The success of treatment was assessed by comparing the number of PAVMs with ≥70% decrease in the size of draining vein/sac between the 2 groups. The pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were calculated using the random-effects inverse-variance model and were used to compare pooled therapeutic efficacy between the groups.

RESULTS

Three studies were found eligible for the meta-analysis. The included studies had a total of 169 patients (119 females and 50 males). The total number of PAVMs was 298, and hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia was present in 119 patients. The success of treatment was higher with VSE as compared to FAE (OR=3.54, 95% CI=1.66-7.56). The minor complications were similar in both groups, and one major complication occurred in the FAE group. More coils were used in the VSE group.

CONCLUSIONS

The present systematic review and meta-analysis has consolidated the evidence that VSE with or without FAE is more efficacious than FAE alone in the management of PAVMs without any increase in the associated risk of sac rupture or coil migration.

CLINICAL IMPACT

Until high-quality data from a prospective, multicentric, randomized controlled trial becomes available, the evidence consolidated by the present systematic review and meta-analysis showing the efficacy of venous sac embolization (with or without feeding artery embolization) over feeding artery embolization alone, can be used for clinical decision-making in the management of pulmonary arterio-venous malformations.