A Popliteal Vein Aneurysm Accompanied by Lower Persistent Sciatic Vein

Popliteal venous aneurysms (PVAs) are rare. Surgical treatment is recommended because of the risk of deep vein thrombosis and fatal pulmonary embolism. A persistent sciatic vein (PSV) is also a rare anomaly. We report a case of a PVA accompanied by a lower PSV. A 70-year-old man was admitted due to left leg heaviness. He had undergone ablation of both great saphenous veins 6 years prior to the admission. Duplex ultrasound showed a PVA on his left leg, which was 3.2 × 2.4 cm in size. The patient was treated with tangential aneurysmectomy with lateral venorrhaphy. His symptom gradually resolved. He received warfarin at a therapeutic range for 3 months. Duplex ultrasound at 6 months later showed no evidence of any recurrent aneurysm or venous reflux. His follow-up has revealed no complications for 18 months. Surgical treatment and perioperative therapeutic anticoagulation are recommended for treating PVAs. Tangential aneurysmectomy with venorrhaphy is the most common and the simplest surgical method.

HIFU Varicose Vein Treatment Using Veinsound Device Feasibility Study On Sheep

The purpose of this nonclinical study was to evaluate the performance (in terms of vein occlusion) and the local tissue effects of echo-guided HIFU (High Intensity Focused Ultrasound) treatments in sheep’s saphenous veins.HIFU treatments were used to treat 4 saphenous veins. Two HIFU doses were evaluated 4s/60J and 7s/105J with and without tumescence injection in perivenous tissues. Before and after treatment, ultrasound scans were performed (at Day 0, 3, 7 and 21). Sheep were then euthanized at D21. Local tissue effects were evaluated based on the macroscopic observations, while the evaluation of the device performance was based on ultrasonic scan.Macroscopically throughout the study duration, for dose of 4s/60J and with tumescence, significant lumens diameter reduction of 84% was observed without skin burns. For doses of 4s/60J without tumescence and 7s/105J skin burns of slight to severe grade was observed along the vein, while no thrombus nor lumen reduction were observed.

Experience with VariClose® vein sealing system in the Czech Republic

Objectives The aim of this study was to assess occlusion rates of saphenous veins treated with the VariClose vein sealing system. Methods A retrospective analysis including a total of 64 patients from four centres from the Czech Republic. Occlusion was defined as a non-compressible vein with absence of flow with exception to the first 3 cm from the saphenofemoral or saphenopopliteal junction on duplex ultrasound. Results In 64 patients a total of 79 veins were treated. Technical success of the procedure was achieved in 74 (94%) of cases. The mean follow-up was 5.5 months. The closure rates calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months were 94%, 85%, 69% and 36%, respectively, and there were no significant differences between centers. The average difference in VCSS score before and after the procedure was 1.8. Conclusions The present study demonstrated surprisingly worse occlusion rates than the current literature.

The expression of matrix metalloproteinases and their tissue inhibitors in the vein wall following superficial venous thrombosis

Objectives Superficial venous thrombosis (SVT) is the complications of varicose great saphenous veins (VGSVs), but its pathogenesis remains unclear. This study was designed to measure the changes in expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) from SVT, VGSVs, and great saphenous veins (GSVs). Methods In the venous walls of the three groups, the expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 proteins, protein-positive expression ratios, mRNA expression, and protein expression were determined by immunohistochemistry, polymerase chain reaction, and western blot. Results The MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 protein-positive expression ratios, mRNA and protein expression in the SVT group were significantly higher than those in the VGSV and the GSV groups. The corresponding expression in the VGSV group were significantly higher than those in the GSV group. Conclusion Disequilibrium of MMPs and TIMPs in SVT wall occurs due to underlying high hydrostatic pressure and inflammation. These results suggested that MMPs and TIMPs participate in the process of venous wall remodeling.