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Introduction
The Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus was designed to develop a consensus statement for the treatment of peripheral artery disease. The results of their efforts are a set of guidelines for the treatment of peripheral vascular lesions. The TASCII classification is also used as a predictive tool for the expected postoperative outcome after a treatment.
Since their release to the market, the Viabahn covered stent’s performance has been an area of interest among physicians. This study evaluates and reports a single vascular surgeon’s experience with the Viabahn covered stent and correlates postoperative outcomes with TASC II classification.
Materials and Methods
Prospectively collected data from a single vascular surgeon’s office database was obtained between March 2007 and April 2011. All patients treated with a Viabahn stent in any region of the body were included into this study. Patients were followed at regular intervals in the office and evaluated clinically. Anyone with signs of recurrent or worsening vascular symptoms was identified, radiographically evaluated if necessary and treated accordingly. Results were collected and analyzed by a 3^rd party researcher. Statistical analysis was performed using a two-tailed Fisher’s exact test.
Results
Over a 49 month study period 76 patients (M=42, F=34, average age 76.4 years) underwent 96 procedures using 150 Viabahn stents. Patient distributions by TASC II classification were: A-7, B-31, C-24, D-9 Unclassifiable/Unknown-5. A total of 24 complications occurred and were distributed by TASC II as: A- 1 stenosis, 1 thrombosis; B-6 stenoses, 3 thromboses; C-1-stenosis, 5-thromboses, D-1 stenosis, 1 thrombosis; Non-classifiable-3 stenoses, 2-thromboses.
Statistical analysis was performed between groups: A:B, B:C, C:D, D:Unknown, AB:CD, AB:CDUnknown and all other combinations. No two groups, or combination of groups were found to have differences that were statistically significant.
Conclusion
Study results suggest that the TASC II classification of a lesion has no predictive value for postoperative complications when using a Viabahn covered stent.