Descending venography

Iliocaval Compression Syndrome

The iliocaval compression syndrome is a disorder, frequently found in young women, in which extrinsic compression of the left iliocaval junction produces signs and symptoms of lower extremity venous insufficiency.

The anatomic variant which gives rise to this syndrome consists of compression of the left common iliac vein by the overlying right common iliac artery, near its junction with the vena cava. Additional reduction of outflow results from intraluminal venous webs and tight adhesions between the iliac artery and vein.

Pain, swelling, pigmentation, and venous claudication characterize this syndrome, which affects predominantly the left leg. The syndrome may progress to iliofemoral thrombosis, phlegmasia cerulea dolens, and venous gangrene. Longstanding iliocaval stenosis may produce valvular incompetence.

Exercise plethysmography is a non-invasive test useful in screening patients for iliocaval compression. The definitive diagnosis is made by venography, both ascending and descending, to determine the degree of outflow stenosis.

Iliocaval patch angioplasty with retrocaval positioning of the right iliac artery, decreases venous hypertension and leads to improvement in the clinical condition.

To date, we have performed iliocaval angioplasty, with retrocaval repositioning of the right common iliac artery, on 18 patients. Of these, 83% have had good results as determined by hemodynamic and clinical assessment.

Investigation of chronic venous insufficiency: A consensus statement (France, March 5-9, 1997)

This consensus document provides an up-to-date account of the various methods available for the investigation of chronic venous insufficiency of the lower limbs (CVI), with an outline of their history, usefulness, and limitations. CVI is characterized by symptoms or signs produced by venous hypertension as a result of structural or functional abnormalities of veins. The most frequent causes of CVI are primary abnormalities of the venous wall and the valves and secondary changes due to previous venous thrombosis that can lead to reflux, obstruction, or both. Because the history and clinical examination will not always indicate the nature and extent of the underlying abnormality (anatomic extent, pathology, and cause), a number of diagnostic investigations have been developed that can elucidate whether there is calf muscle pump dysfunction and determine the anatomic extent and severity of obstruction or reflux. The difficulty in deciding which investigations to use and how to interpret the results has stimulated the development of this consensus document. The aim of this document was to provide an account of these tests, with an outline of their usefulness and limitations and indications of which patients should be subjected to the tests and when and of what clinical decisions can be made. This document was written primarily for the clinician who would like to learn the latest approaches to the investigation of patients with CVI and the new applications that have emerged from recent research, as well as for the novice who is embarking on venous research. Care has been taken to indicate which methods have entered the clinical arena and which are mainly used for research. The foundation for this consensus document was laid by the faculty at a meeting held under the auspices of the American Venous Forum, the Cardiovascular Disease Educational and Research Trust, the European Society of Vascular Surgery, the International Angiology Scientific Activity Congress Organization, the International Union of Angiology, and the Union Internationale de Phlebologie at the Abbaye des Vaux de Cernay, France, on March 5 to 9, 1997. Subsequent input by co-opted faculty members and revisions in 1998 and 1999 have ensured a document that provides an up-to-date account of the various methods available for the investigation of CVI.

Vein valve transplantation

The vein valve transplantation has, in our experience, subjectively relieved symptoms in the majority of patients. More importantly, elevated venous pressure has been decreased in most patients. Thus, patients exhibiting signs of venous insufficiency syndrome as well as elevated venous pressure and proved valvular incompetence should be considered candidates for vein valve transplantation after an unsuccessful trial of medical management.