Iliofemoral venous stenoses: effectiveness of treatment with metallic endovascular stents.
OBJECTIVE
To assess effectiveness of metallic endovascular stents in treatment of venous stenoses and occlusions.


METHODS
Stents were placed intravenously in 56 patients (59 stenoses or occlusions) over a 6-year period. Stent sites included the inferior vena cava (n = 10) and common iliac (n = 31), external iliac (n = 46), common femoral (n = 27), and superficial femoral veins (n = 4). Indications for stent placement included stenoses from pelvic malignancy and its treatment; trauma, surgery, or pregnancy; and idiopathic stenoses. Patients underwent anticoagulation therapy for 3-6 months after stent placement. Follow-up was performed with duplex ultrasound.


RESULTS
With use of life-table analysis, overall primary and secondary 1-year patency rates were 50% and 81%, respectively. Primary and secondary 4-year patency rates were and 50% and 75%, respectively. Five patients died of primary disease progression within 6 months after stent placement. Major complications occurred in 6.8% of cases. One-year secondary patency rates were statistically significantly lower (P = .05) for patients with malignant disease, although primary patency rates were comparable. Overall sustained decrease in symptoms (P < .0001) was observed 1 year later.


CONCLUSIONS
Endovascular stent placement is a nonsurgical alternative for reestablishment of venous flow and sustained relief of symptoms in patients with malignant or benign pelvic venous disease.
Nazarian
G K
GK
Department of Radiology, UMHC, University of Minnesota Hospital and Clinic, Minneapolis 55455-0392, USA.
Bjarnason
H
H
Dietz
C A
CA
Bernadas
C A
CA
Hunter
D W
DW
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005268:Femoral Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007084:Iliac Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D007601:Jugular Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008670:Metals; D008875:Middle Aged; D015641:Radiography, Interventional; D015607:Stents / Q000009:adverse effects; D014654:Vascular Patency; D014682:Vena Cava, Inferior / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology
D008670:Metals