title: Best management options for chronic iliac vein stenosis and occlusion.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Iliac vein stenting technology is rapidly emerging as a minimally invasive alternative to traditional open venovenous bypass procedures for iliac vein stenoses and chronic total occlusions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Peer-reviewed publications meeting eligibility criteria were retrieved and reviewed from public domain databases.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Reviewed reports encompass ∼1500 patients. Evidence quality was judged moderate, with a grade 1B recommendation (benefits outweigh risks) for patients with disabling symptoms in whom conservative therapy had failed. A grade 2B recommendation was assigned for patients with less severe symptoms. Iliac vein stenting is safe, with negligible morbidity (<1%). Patency was 90% to 100% for nonthrombotic disease and 74% to 89% for post-thrombotic disease at 3 to 5 years. Clinical relief of pain was 86% to 94%, and relief from swelling was 66% to 89%. From 58% to 89% of venous ulcers healed. Procedural success in recanalization of chronic total occlusions was 83% to 95%. Hybrid techniques for complex cases are in evolution.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Iliac vein stenting is emerging as a safe and effective alternative to traditional open surgery to correct iliac vein obstruction.
authors: The Rane Center for Venous and Lymphatic Disease, Jackson, MS, USA. rajumd@earthlink.net
authors: Seshadri
authors: S
authors: Raju
mesh_terms: D002908:Chronic Disease; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods; D057510:Endovascular Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation; D006801:Humans; D007084:Iliac Vein / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D015607:Stents; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D014654:Vascular Patency; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects