Venous Stents: Current Status and Future Directions

Venous outflow obstruction is a dominant contributor to chronic venous disease. Treatment of venous disease has historically been limited by available vascular stent technology not specifically designed for the venous system. The ideal venous stent must provide requisite flexibility, strength, and accurate deployment for the anatomical and pathophysiological conditions of chronic venous disease. Venous stent technology is advancing with multiple dedicated venous stents currently available in Europe and with investigational device exemption studies ongoing in the United States. These technological advancements are promising for patients suffering from chronic venous disease. This article discusses the current status and future directions of venous stents.