A systematic review on the use of deep venous stenting for acute venous thrombosis of the lower limb

Objectives: The aim is to evaluate venous stent patency, the development of post thrombotic syndrome (PTS), recurrence, quality of life(QOL) and the optimal post-procedural anticoagulation regimen in the treatment of iliofemoral deep venous thrombosis (DVT). Method and Results: EMBASE and Medline databases were interrogated to identify studies in which acute DVT patients were stented. Twenty-seven studies and 542 patients were identified. Primary, assisted primary and secondary patency rates 12 months after stent placement ranged from 74-95%,90-95% and 84-100% respectively. The observed PTS rate was 14.6%. The incidence of stent re-thrombosis was 8%. In 26% of studies, patients received additional antiplatelet therapy. QOL questionnaires employed in 11% of studies, demonstrating an improvement in the chronic venous insufficiency questionnaire (CIVIQ) (22.67±3.01 vs. 39.34±6.66). Conclusion: Venous stenting appears to be an effective adjunct to early thrombus removal; however, further studies are needed to identify optimal anticoagulant regimen and effect on QOL