Rationale: Studies on the efficacy of self-expanding covered stents for the treatment of patients with superficial femoral artery (SFA) occlusive disease have mainly focused on stent patency. Subgroup analysis was often not feasible, related to small sample sizes. This pooled analysis of individual patient-level data provides larger sample sizes and a more heterogeneous population, which allows for the ability to perform subgroup analyses to identify patients that will most benefit from VSX treatment. The current analysis will provide insights into the effectiveness of the VSX device for specific subgroups.~Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of the VSX device in pre-determined patient populations to understand the patient characteristics that impact outcomes.~Study design: Multicenter retrospective individual patient data meta-analysis. Study population: Patients treated with a VSX device for de novo or restenotic lesions of the superficial femoral artery and previously enrolled in a prospective VSX study whom were treated for SFA disease with the latest generation heparin-bonded Viabahn, and published in peer reviewed journals.~Main study parameters/endpoints: The primary study parameter is primary patency at 12-months. In addition, for all subjects and for subgroups as described further below, the following secondary endpoints will be evaluated through follow-up: primary patency at 24 months, primary assisted patency, secondary patency, freedom from Target Lesion Revascularization (TLR) at 12 and 24 months, clinical Improvement, minor and major amputation, mortality. The following subgroup analysis will be performed if sufficient data are available: critical limb threatening ischemia patients (Rutherford 4-6), patients with intermittent claudication (Rutherford 1-3), chronic total occlusions, by gender, by number of runoff vessels, lesion length, TASC II lesion classification, calcified lesions, by device diameter.
To evaluate the effectiveness of the VSX device in pre-determined patient populations to understand the patient characteristics that impact outcomes.