Factors associated with difficulty in stenting the chronic iliofemoral venous obstruction

The main aim of this article is to investigate the causes of technical failure during endovascular recanalization in patients with post-thrombotic syndrome with occluded iliofemoral veins and to suggest alternative techniques to improve outcomes in such challenging cases.

Between November 2015 and August 2020, 230 patients (274 limbs) treated in our institution with symptomatic chronic iliofemoral venous obstruction underwent endovascular recanalization with angioplasty and stent placement. Overall, the initial attempt was unsuccessful in 15 limbs. We retrospectively analyzed the basic demographic and health characteristics of the involved patients and evaluated the endovascular procedures and techniques that resulted in a successful second intervention.

The first attempts at endovascular intervention were unsuccessful in 15 of the 274 limbs (5.4%). Failures were attributed to hostile groin areas in intravenous drug abusers caused by multiple punctures in six cases. In addition, five interventions failed due to prior surgery at the site of venous occlusion and in retroperitoneal space, three patients due to severe stent deformity, and one patient due to congenital venous aplasia. Of the 15 patients, 11 underwent a subsequent attempt that included six successful recanalizations. The mean follow-up time of the six patients with successful recanalization was 27 months (5-62 months). The primary, assisted primary and secondary patency rates were 83.3%, 100%, and 100%, respectively. The remaining five patients, in whom the second recanalization attempt failed, received conservative treatment.

Recanalization failure is rare in chronic venous obstruction patients. Severe stent deformities have the lowest chance of successful second intervention. Patients with a hostile groin or prior open surgeries at the occlusion site may be considered for reintervention with a success rate of nearly 50%.