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. 2011 Jan 11;2011:0211.
Ref (type) Population Outcome, Interventions Results and statistical analysis Effect size Favours
Quality of life

Systematic review
208 people with intermittent claudication or critical limb ischaemia and superficial femoral artery stenosis or occlusion
Data from 1 RCT
Improvement in quality of life score 6 months
with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) plus stent
with PTA alone
Absolute results not reported
Review commented that the type of antiplatelet medication varied between the included RCTs; clopidogrel was given in one large RCT

Mean difference –1.13
95% CI –5.03 to +2.77
Results should be interpreted with caution as it was unclear in some of the RCTs how many people in the PTA alone arm went on to have "bailout" (secondary) stenting and whether or not they were subsequently included in the PTA plus stent arm for analysis, or excluded from the trial
Not significant

Systematic review
208 people with intermittent claudication or critical limb ischaemia and superficial femoral artery stenosis or occlusion
Data from 1 RCT
Improvement in quality of life score 12 months
with PTA plus stent
with PTA alone
Absolute results not reported

Mean difference +0.96
95% CI –2.62 to +4.53
Results should be interpreted with caution as it was unclear in some of the RCTs how many people in the PTA alone arm went on to have "bailout" (secondary) stenting and whether or not they were subsequently included in the PTA plus stent arm for analysis, or excluded from the trial
Not significant