scholarly journals Comparison of microbubble presence in the right heart during mechanochemical and radiofrequency ablation for varicose veins

2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 425-432 ◽  
Author(s):  
KH Moon ◽  
B Dharmarajah ◽  
R Bootun ◽  
CS Lim ◽  
TRA Lane ◽  
...  

Objective Mechanochemical ablation is a novel technique for ablation of varicose veins utilising a rotating catheter and liquid sclerosant. Mechanochemical ablation and radiofrequency ablation have no reported neurological side-effect but the rotating mechanism of mechanochemical ablation may produce microbubbles. Air emboli have been implicated as a cause of cerebrovascular events during ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy and microbubbles in the heart during ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy have been demonstrated. This study investigated the presence of microbubbles in the right heart during varicose vein ablation by mechanochemical abaltion and radiofrequency abaltion. Methods Patients undergoing great saphenous vein ablation by mechanochemical abaltion or radiofrequency ablation were recruited. During the ablative procedure, the presence of microbubbles was assessed using transthoracic echocardiogram. Offline blinded image quantification was performed using International Consensus Criteria grading guidelines. Results From 32 recruited patients, 28 data sets were analysed. Eleven underwent mechanochemical abaltion and 17 underwent radiofrequency abaltion. There were no neurological complications. In total, 39% (11/28) of patients had grade 1 or 2 microbubbles detected. Thirty-six percent (4/11) of mechanochemical abaltion patients and 29% (5/17) of radiofrequency ablation patients had microbubbles with no significant difference between the groups ( p=0.8065). Conclusion A comparable prevalence of microbubbles between mechanochemical abaltion and radiofrequency ablation both of which are lower than that previously reported for ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy suggests that mechanochemical abaltion may not confer the same risk of neurological events as ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy for treatment of varicose veins.

2014 ◽  
Vol 30 (8) ◽  
pp. 557-563 ◽  
Author(s):  
V Sounderajah ◽  
HM Moore ◽  
A Thapar ◽  
TRA Lane ◽  
K Fox ◽  
...  

Objective Cerebrovascular events have been noted after foam sclerotherapy for varicose veins. One hypothesis is migration of microemboli to the brain through a cardiac septal defect. The aim of this study was to identify whether acoustic reflectors are found in the right side of the heart during radiofrequency ablation of varicose veins, as neurological events are not reported during these procedures. Methods Transthoracic echocardiography was performed during local anaesthetic radiofrequency ablation (VNUS ClosureFast) of the great saphenous vein in 14 patients. An apical view was captured at the start of the procedure, during each cycle of heating and at 1 min post-treatment. Patients were monitored for 1 h. Video loops were read by an independent cardiologist. The presence of acoustic reflectors was classified as: 0 = absent, 1 = occasional, 2 = stream, 3 = complete opacification. Results Loops were of diagnostic quality in 11/14 (79%) patients. After the second cycle of heating, acoustic reflectors moving through the right heart were seen in 5/11 (45%) patients. These were classified as grade 1 in four patients and grade 2 in one patient. No acoustic reflectors were seen in the left heart. No neurological symptoms were reported. Conclusion Acoustic reflectors in the right heart are a common finding during radiofrequency ablation of varicose veins. Considering the prevalence of cardiac septal defects (17%), more neurological events would be expected if these particles were indeed responsible for these events. Further work is required to elicit the mechanisms underlying neurological complications following sclerotherapy.


2011 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
R H Bhogal ◽  
C E Moffat ◽  
P Coney ◽  
I K Nyamekye

Objective We assessed the use of ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy (UGFS) to treat bilateral varicose veins either as synchronous or interval procedures. We specifically assessed total foam volume usage and its influence on early outcome and complications. Methods We reviewed our prospectively compiled computerised database of patients with bilateral varicose veins who have undergone UGFS. Duplex findings, foam volumes used and clinical outcome were assessed. Results One hundred and twelve patients had undergone UGFS for bilateral varicose veins. Sixty-one had bilateral UGFS (122 legs) and 51 had interval UGFS (102 legs). Seventy-eight percent bilateral and 60% interval procedures were for single trunk disease. Median foam volumes per treatment episode were: 17.5 mls bilateral, and 10 mls interval FS. At two weeks 81% of legs had complete occlusion after bilateral UGFS compared to 70% after interval UGFS. One patient in the bilateral UGFS developed transient visual disturbance. There was no systemic complications in the interval UGFS. Conclusions Bilateral foam sclerotherapy treatment did not adversly affect vein occlusion rates and there was no significant difference in complication rates between the two groups. Bilateral UGFS can be safely performed in selected patient presenting with bilateral varicose veins.


2010 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 140-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
K Parsi

Objective To investigate the effectiveness of methods proposed to prevent venous gas embolism during foam sclerotherapy. Methods Transthoracic echocardiography was performed concurrent with ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy (UGS) of great or small saphenous veins. A volume of 2.5 mL of 3% sodium tetradecyl sulphate foam was prepared following the Tessari method and injected slowly 5–10 cm away from saphenous junctions. The procedure was repeated with modifications including using a 5 µm filter to generate microfoam, carbon dioxide as the foaming gas, leg elevation before or after the injection and immobility post-treatment. Results Bubbles entered the right heart in less than 60 seconds and continued for up to 50 minutes despite all treatment modifications. None of the patients had a patent foramen ovale and none developed any neurological or cardiac symptoms. Conclusion Bubble emboli entered the heart during foam UGS of saphenous veins despite all treatment modifications and low volumes of foam used.


2009 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 252-259 ◽  
Author(s):  
N Morrison ◽  
D L Neuhardt

Objectives To investigate and review collected and reported transcutaneous ultrasound, transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and transcranial Doppler (TCD) data obtained during ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy (USGFS) of incompetent saphenous, tributary and perforating veins of the lower extremities. Methods TTE and/or middle cerebral artery TCD were performed during USGFS. Ultrasound (US) findings and adverse events were recorded. Existing literature was reviewed. Results Ultrasound detected emboli circulating in superficial, perforating, communicating and deep veins and into the central circulation. TTE detected bright echoes in the right heart after every injection and in the left heart in up to 65% of selected patients. TCD high-intensity transient signals (HITS) were detected in 14–42% of the patients. Incidence of HITS was higher than patient reports of adverse events. Incidence of HITS was independent of foam volumes injected. Conclusion Echogenic signals were detected in non-treated veins, in heart chambers and in the cerebral circulation by transcutaneous US, TTE and TCD. Pathological consequences of such findings remain to be investigated.


VASA ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 46 (6) ◽  
pp. 484-489 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tom Barker ◽  
Felicity Evison ◽  
Ruth Benson ◽  
Alok Tiwari

Abstract. Background: The invasive management of varicose veins has a known risk of post-operative deep venous thrombosis and subsequent pulmonary embolism. The aim of this study was to evaluate absolute and relative risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) following commonly used varicose vein procedures. Patients and methods: A retrospective analysis of secondary data using Hospital Episode Statistics database was performed for all varicose vein procedures performed between 2003 and 2013 and all readmissions for VTE in the same patients within 30 days, 90 days, and one year. Comparison of the incidence of VTEs between procedures was performed using a Pearson’s Chi-squared test. Results: In total, 261,169 varicose vein procedures were performed during the period studied. There were 686 VTEs recorded at 30 days (0.26 % incidence), 884 at 90 days (0.34 % incidence), and 1,246 at one year (0.48 % incidence). The VTE incidence for different procedures was between 0.15–0.35 % at 30 days, 0.26–0.50 % at 90 days, and 0.46–0.58 % at one year. At 30 days there was a significantly lower incidence of VTEs for foam sclerotherapy compared to other procedures (p = 0.01). There was no difference in VTE incidence between procedures at 90 days (p = 0.13) or one year (p = 0.16). Conclusions: Patients undergoing varicose vein procedures have a small but appreciable increased risk of VTE compared to the general population, with the effect persisting at one year. Foam sclerotherapy had a lower incidence of VTE compared to other procedures at 30 days, but this effect did not persist at 90 days or at one year. There was no other significant difference in the incidence of VTE between open, endovenous, and foam sclerotherapy treatments.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Satyendra K. TIWARY ◽  
Sartaz ALAM ◽  
Pankaj SUREKA ◽  
Puneet KUMAR ◽  
Ajay K. KHANNA

2009 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 183-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
P Chapman-Smith ◽  
A Browne

Objectives The purpose of this study was to determine the long-term efficacy, safety and rate of recurrence for varicose veins associated with great saphenous vein (GSV) reflux treated with ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy (UGFS). Methods A five-year prospective study was performed, recording the effect on the GSV and saphenofemoral junction (SFJ) diameters, and reflux in the superficial venous system over time. UGFS was the sole treatment modality used in all cases, and repeat UGFS was performed where indicated following serial annual ultrasound. Results No serious adverse outcomes were observed – specifically no thromboembolism, arterial injection, anaphylaxis or nerve damage. There was a 4% clinical recurrence rate after five years, with 100% patient acceptance of success. Serial annual duplex ultrasound demonstrated a significant reduction in GSV and SFJ diameters, maintained over time. There was ultrasound recurrence in 27% at 12 months, and in 64% at five years, including any incompetent trunkal or tributary reflux even 1 mm in diameter being recorded. Thirty percent had pure ultrasound recurrence, 17% new vessel reflux and 17% combined new and recurrent vessels on ultrasound. Of all, 16.5% required repeat UGFS treatment between 12 and 24 months, but less than 10% in subsequent years. The safety and clinical efficacy of UGFS for all clinical, aetiological, anatomical and pathological elements classes of GSV reflux was excellent. Conclusion The popularity of this outpatient technique with patients reflects ease of treatment, lower cost, lack of downtime and elimination of venous signs and symptoms. Patients accept that UGFS can be repeated readily if required for recurrence in this common chronic condition. The subclinical ultrasound evidence of recanalization or new vein incompetence needs to be considered in this light.


Phlebologie ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 44 (01) ◽  
pp. 13-17
Author(s):  
J. Duben ◽  
J. Gatek ◽  
T. Saha ◽  
G. Hnatkova ◽  
L. Hnatek

SummaryIntroduction: During the last years, many endovascular techniques have been developed in order to eliminate not only the reflux in stem veins but in perforating veins and their tributaries, too.Aim: The aim of this study was to use endo -vascular RFITT and the foam sclerotherapy for the occlusion of perforating veins as the prime source of reflux and their tributaries.Material and Methods: The Celon method was used for the thermal treatment. Polydocalon with the concentration 1% and 2% with DSS technique was used for the foam sclerotherapy. The RFITT was accomplished in 127 perforating veins in total. This group was divided into three subgroups. The first one consists of patients where only RFITT was carried out (n= 41), in the second, there were patients with RFITT realized with sclerotherapy during one session (n= 48), in the third, RFITT was completed with sclerotherapy in one month after the RFITT intervention (n= 38). The control group included perforating veins treated only with sclerotherapy (n= 81). The power setting 6W was used on the generator during the RFITT with CelonProSurge micro and 18W for usage of Celon ProCurve probe.Results: The effectiveness of the procedure in the group 1 was 8.8%, in the group two 93.7%, in the group three 92.1% and in the control group 76.5% in one year follow up. There was no significant difference between the effectiveness in groups 1, 2 and 3. The marginal difference was among all three groups with RFITT and the control group. Significant differences were in the parameter of the extinction of visible varicose veins with the reflux from perforators. The extinction was faster in group 3 than in group 2 and in the control group and the slowest was in group 1. The significant difference was observed between groups 2 and 3 compared with group 1 and the margin difference was between groups 2 and 3 compared with the control group. No significant difference was observed between groups 1 and the control group.Conclusions: All procedures are effective. The most important is the combination of RFITT and the sclerotherapy one month after thermal intervention. This is associated with a low risk of recanalization and the fastest extinction of visible varicose veins.


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