Segmental saphenous ablation for chronic venous disease treatment

Background Endovenous thermal ablation for chronic venous disease treatment is recommended over traditional surgery. The present investigation compares endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) with radiofrequency (RF) for segmental endovenous sapheno–femoral junction ablation. Methods This is a retrospective study in which 79 patients underwent a 6 cm great saphenous vein ablation by RF or by EVLA. Primary outcome was occlusion rate. Secondary outcomes included Venous Clinical Severity Score (VCSS), Aberdeen Varicose Vein Questionnaire (AVVQ) score, peri-procedural pain, aesthetic satisfaction. Results At 12 ± 1 months recanalization of shrunk tract was recorded in 5/85 (5.8%) cases (2 RF, 3 EVLA) [OR: 1.6; 95%CI: 0.2–10.4; P = 0.6689]. Two cases (1/44 RF group and 1/38 EVLA group) also showed reflux recurrence [OR: 1.0; 95%CI: 0.06–17.8; P = 1.0000]. No significant differences between groups were found in AVVQ, VCSS, peri-procedural pain, or aesthetic satisfaction. Conclusion Saphenous sparing is feasible and effective by means of both EVLA and RF, representing a possible alternative to surgery.

Significant features characterizing the nature of varicose vein disease

The following features characterize varicose vein disease: 1) Venous reflux, 2) Inherent weakness of the vein wall, 3) Tendency to recurrence. Venous reflux is the most important pathological hemodynamic phenomenon causing ambulatory venous hypertension and evoking chronic venous insufficiency; it is released by the ambulatory pressure gradient, which arises during calf pump activity between thigh and lower leg veins. Inherent weakness of the vein wall entails increased vein distensibility. The impaired vein wall structure is not able to resist the dilatation force of the hydrostatic and intra-abdominal pressure; the veins in the lower extremity subsequently dilate, become incompetent, and tend to form varicose veins. Abolition of saphenous reflux removes the hemodynamic disturbance but it simultaneously generates preconditions for reflux recurrence. This run of events is triggered by the drainage of venous blood from the thigh saphenous system into deep lower leg veins, which occurs during calf pump activity. The dividing line of the ambulatory pressure gradient that is located in healthy people just below the knee joint is displaced into the thigh between the femoral vein and the incompetent thigh saphenous system; in this way, pressure gradient between the femoral vein and the incompetent saphenous system occurs and starts the chain of events that evokes reflux recurrence. Hindrance of the untoward drainage at the knee level would prevent generation of this prerequisite for reflux recurrence.

Femoral vein valve incompetence as a risk factor for junctional recurrence

Background Recurrent varicose veins occur up to 80% of procedures. The sapheno-femoral junction can be involved in more than 50% of cases. A detailed pathophysiological explanation of the phenomenon is still missing. The aim of the present work is to evaluate the role of femoral vein incompetence as risk factor for sapheno-femoral junction recurrence. Methods Three-hundred-eighty-one patients presenting an incompetent great saphenous vein system and eventually also an incompetent femoral tract (C2-6EpAsdPr) underwent a great saphenous vein high ligation with flush ligation also of the incompetent tributaries along the leg, sparing the saphenous trunk. Pre-operatively, all patients underwent a sonographic evaluation assessing the superficial and deep venous systems, including a detailed analysis of the iliac-femoral vein tract above the sapheno-femoral junction. A retrospective statistical analysis assessed the recurrence risk associated with iliac-femoral vein tract incompetence. Results In a 5.5 ± 1.9 years follow-up, great saphenous vein trunk reflux recurrence was detected in 45/381 (11.8%) cases. The reflux source was found in a reconnected sapheno-femoral stump in 11/45 cases (24.5%), in the pelvic network in 8/45 cases (17.8%), in a neovascularization process in 7/45 (15.5%) and in a newly incompetent great saphenous vein tributary in 19/45 (42.2%). At the pre-operative assessment, iliac-femoral vein tract reflux was present in 7 (26.9%) of the 26 cases who developed a sapheno-femoral junction recurrence and in 25 (7%) of the 355 patients who did not demonstrate sapheno-femoral junction recurrence (odds ratio: 4.8; confidence interval 95%: 1.8–12.6; p < .003). Discussion Despite many technical diagnostic and therapeutic refinements, varicose veins recurrence remains a frequent event. The present investigation points out the association among iliac-femoral vein tract incompetence and sapheno-femoral junction recurrences after high ligation.

Hemodynamics-based treatment of varices: A therapeutic concept counteracting the intrinsic tendency of varicose veins to recur

Varicose vein disease is characterized by tenacious tendency to recur. Measures recommended to prevent recurrences (flush ligation at the saphenofemoral junction, removal of incompetent great saphenous vein in the thigh, and insertion of mechanical barriers in the fossa ovalis) did not succeed in preventing recurrence. Reflux recurrence is triggered by the hemodynamic phenomenon called hemodynamic paradox. Abolition of saphenous reflux removes the hemodynamic disturbance of any degree of severity but at the same time it releases the pathological process leading to recurrent reflux. This process is induced by drainage of venous blood from incompetent superficial thigh veins into deep lower leg veins during calf pump activity, which evokes the development of ambulatory pressure gradient between the femoral vein and incompetent segments of the saphenous system in the thigh. The pressure gradient sets off biophysical and biochemical events inducing recurrent reflux. The designed therapeutic strategy consists of reliable abolition of saphenous reflux and of hindering the pathological drainage of venous blood at the knee level in order to preclude development of the hemodynamic preconditions for reflux recurrence. In this way, the dividing line of the ambulatory pressure gradient would be kept below the knee, as is the case with healthy people.

Druckgradient in den Beinvenen während der Betätigung der Wadenpumpe

Background: Neovascularization is an important cause of venous reflux recurrence after high ligation of the long saphenous vein. The pathogenesis of this phenomenon is so far obscure. It is possible that a hemodynamic factor – a pressure gradient between the femoral vein and the residual long saphenous vein – could be the trigger initiating the process of neovascularization. Patients and methods: Venous pressure measurements on eight patients with primary varicose veins were performed in the erect position in the insufficient long saphenous vein on the thigh. Mean pressures in the quiet standing position and ambulatory pressures were considered. By interrupting the saphenous reflux either distally or proximally to the point of measurement the pressure conditions either in the femoral or in the crural veins were simulated. Results: With the tourniquet placed distally to the point of measurement, the venous pressure in the upper interrupted segment of the long saphenous vein (equivalent to the pressure in the femoral vein) remained uninfluenced during ambulation. In contrast, by interrupting the reflux proximally to the point of measurement, a marked decrease of the ambulatory pressure in the lower part of the long saphenous vein (equivalent to the pressure in the crural veins) was noted. Conclusions: A pressure difference occurs between the veins of the thigh and the lower leg during the activation of the muscle venous pump. This fact may explain the tendency of recurrencies of varicose veins after high ligation of the long saphenous vein as well as the initiation of reflux.