Abstract No. 212 The Use of Covered Stents for the Treatment of Symptomatic Central Venous Stenosis in Vascular Access. A Meta-Analysis of 6 Studies and 207 Patients

The purpose of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of covered stent use for the treatment of symptomatic central venous stenosis and occlusion in vascular access. Literature review was conducted from 2010 to 2022. The risk of bias was assessed with the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and the mean total score was 7/9. The number at risk was calculated along with the probability of patency using Digitizer Application and the statistical outcomes were analyzed using the MetaSurv package in R. The primary outcome measures were safety defined as absence of adverse events within 30 days from the procedure and effectiveness defined as the pooled-target lesion primary patency (TLPP) rates at 6, 12 and 24 months. 6 studies (5 single-center retrospective studies and 1 multicenter prospective study) were included in the analysis with 207 patients (120 men). Four different covered stent (VIABAHN, WRAPSODY, FLUENCY, Contralateral limb of Excluder) types were placed. Technical success was 100%. The pooled TLPP rate was 92,4%, 82% and 59,4% at 6, 12 and 24 months respectively. There were no minor or major complication within the first 30 days after the procedure. This meta-analysis showed that covered stent use for the treatment of symptomatic central venous stenosis is safe. Pooled TLPP revealed better results to those suggested by the guidelines.