Type of anti-thrombotic therapy for venous stenting in patients with non-thrombotic iliac vein lesions does not influence the development of in-stent restenosis

Background In patients receiving stents for symptomatic non-thrombotic iliac vein lesions, many clinicians prescribe anti-thrombotic medications. Whether or not anti-coagulation post-venous stenting improves stent patency is unknown. The aim of this investigation is to determine whether prophylactic post-operative anti-thrombotic therapy improves stent patency and/or prevents in-stent restenosis. Methods The medical records and venous ultrasounds for 389 patients stented for non-thrombotic iliac vein lesions were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were categorized into three anti-thrombotic regimens: Clopidogrel, Aspirin and Clopidogrel, and Apixaban or Rivaroxaban. Patients were routinely assessed for restenosis and stent patency at 6, 26, and 52 weeks and treated with anti-thrombotics for 90 days. Results Freedom from in-stent restenosis at 6, 26, and 52 weeks were Clopidogrel (91.50, 82.91, 80.95%), Aspirin and Clopidogrel (88.68, 80.03, 80.03%), and Apixaban or Rivaroxaban (91.03, 85.11, 83.18%). Primary patencies were Clopidogrel (98.77, 98.77, 98.10%), Aspirin and Clopidogrel (100, 95.74, 95.74%), and Apixaban or Rivaroxaban (98.70, 98.70, 96.71%). There were no statistically significant differences. Conclusions The type of post-operative anti-thrombotic therapy for non-thrombotic iliac vein lesions does not appear to improve stent patency or prevent the development of in-stent restenosis.