Table 3.
Quality (certainty) of evidence of the studies selected, as determined by the GRADE criteria
|
Parameter |
Risk of bias | Inconsistency | Indirectness | Imprecision | Publication bias | Overall certainty of evidence |
| No. of patients (studies) | ||||||
| Technical success | ||||||
| 222 (3 RCTs) | Not serious | Not serious | Not serious | Seriousa | None | Moderate |
| Clinical success | ||||||
| 155 (2 RCTs) | Seriousb | Not serious | Seriousc | Seriousa | None | Very low |
| Procedure duration | ||||||
| 222 (3 RCTs) | Not serious | Very seriousd | Seriouse | Seriousa | None | Very low |
| Adverse events | ||||||
| 222 (3 RCTs) | Not serious | Very seriousd | Not serious | Seriousa | None | Very low |
| Stent patency | ||||||
| 97 (2 RCTs) | Seriousb | Not serious | Seriouse | Seriousa | None | Very low |
| Stent dysfunction | ||||||
| 155 (2 RCTs) | Not serious | Not serious | Seriouse | Not serious | Strongly suspected | Low |
aNo significant difference found. bIncomplete outcome data in one study. cStudies used different criteria for clinical success. dI2 > 75%. eOutlier identified. RCTs: Randomized clinical trials.