Clinical superiority of an innovative two-component compression system versus four-component compression system in treatment of active venous leg ulcers: A randomized trial

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy, safety and acceptability of an innovative two-component versus a well-established four-component compression systems in the management of venous leg ulcer.

Method

Multicentre randomized controlled trial in patients with active venous leg ulcer. Patients were followed-up monthly for a maximum of 16 weeks. The primary endpoint was the complete healing rate at 16 weeks.

Results

Ninety-two patients were randomized to either the two-component BIFLEX® Kit group ( n = 49) or the four-component PROFORE® group ( n = 43). In the full analysis set ( n = 88), a complete healing rate of 48.9% and 24.4% was reported in BIFLEX® Kit versus PROFORE® groups, respectively (i.e. a superiority of 24.5%, p = 0.02). Acceptability of BIFLEX® Kit was higher from both the patients’ and physicians’ perspectives.

Conclusion

The BIFLEX® Kit represents a valid alternative therapy in the management of venous leg ulcer according to its clinical efficacy, safety and acceptability with potential positive impacts on healthcare costs.

Is the treatment of the small saphenous veins with foam sclerotherapy at risk of deep vein thrombosis?

Objective

To assess the deep vein thrombosis risk of the treatment of the small saphenous veins depending on the anatomical pattern of the veins.

Method

A multicenter, prospective and controlled study was carried out in which small saphenous vein trunks were treated with ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy. The anatomical pattern (saphenopopliteal junction, perforators) was assessed by Duplex ultrasound before the treatment. All patients were systematically checked by Duplex ultrasound 8 to 30 days after the procedure to identify a potential deep vein thrombosis.

Results

Three hundred and thirty-one small saphenous veins were treated in 22 phlebology clinics. No proximal deep vein thrombosis occurred. Two (0.6%) medial gastrocnemius veins thrombosis occurred in symptomatic patients. Five medial gastrocnemius veins thrombosis and four cases of extension of the small saphenous vein sclerosis into the popliteal vein, which all occurred when the small saphenous vein connected directly into the popliteal vein, were identified by systematic Duplex ultrasound examination in asymptomatic patients. Medial gastrocnemius veins thrombosis were more frequent ( p = 0.02) in patients with medial gastrocnemius veins perforator. A common outlet or channel between the small saphenous vein and the medial gastrocnemius veins did not increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis.

Conclusion

Deep vein thrombosis after foam sclerotherapy of the small saphenous vein are very rare. Only 0.6% medial gastrocnemius veins thrombosis occurred in symptomatic patients. However, the anatomical pattern of the small saphenous vein should be taken into account and patients with medial gastrocnemius veins perforators and the small saphenous vein connected directly into the popliteal vein should be checked by Duplex ultrasound one or two weeks after the procedure. Recommendations based on our everyday practice and the findings of this study are suggested to prevent and treat deep vein thrombosis.

European guidelines for sclerotherapy in chronic venous disorders

Aim

Sclerotherapy is the targeted chemical ablation of varicose veins by intravenous injection of a liquid or foamed sclerosing drug. The treated veins may be intradermal, subcutaneous, and/or transfascial as well as superficial and deep in venous malformations. The aim of this guideline is to give evidence-based recommendations for liquid and foam sclerotherapy.

Methods

This guideline was drafted on behalf of 23 European Phlebological Societies during a Guideline Conference on 7–10 May 2012 in Mainz. The conference was organized by the German Society of Phlebology. These guidelines review the present state of knowledge as reflected in published medical literature. The regulatory situation of sclerosant drugs differs from country to country but this has not been considered in this document. The recommendations of this guideline are graded according to the American College of Chest Physicians Task Force recommendations on Grading Strength of Recommendations and Quality of Evidence in Clinical Guidelines.

Results

This guideline focuses on the two sclerosing drugs which are licensed in the majority of the European countries, polidocanol and sodium tetradecyl sulphate. Other sclerosants are not discussed in detail. The guideline gives recommendations concerning indications, contraindications, side-effects, concentrations, volumes, technique and efficacy of liquid and foam sclerotherapy of varicose veins and venous malformations.

Pathophysiology of visual disturbances occurring after foam sclerotherapy

Background

Visual disturbances (VDs) are reported with an average rate of 1.4% after foam sclerotherapy (FS). Some clinical clues indicate that they could correspond to migraine with aura (MA).

Aims

To validate the hypothesis that VDs occurring after FS correspond to MA and are not transient ischaemic cerebro-vascular events.

Method

A prospective multicentre study was carried out by the French Society of Phlebology in collaboration with the Neurology Department of the Marseille University Hospital (France). We included prospectively and consecutively all patients who experienced VDs after FS using air to make the foam. The patients were assessed (1) clinically with a specific form describing procedures of FS and recording neurological symptoms, later analysed by a neurologist specialized in migraine; and (2) by a brain diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (T1, T2, T2*, diffusion) carried out within two weeks and analysed by a neuroradiologist.

Results

Twenty patients, 16 women and four men, were included in 11 phlebology clinics. All kinds of veins were treated. VDs occurred in average seven minutes after FS. Clinical assessment showed that VDs presented characteristics of MA in all patients, with headache in 10 and without in 10. Paresthesia was observed in five patients and dysphasic speech disturbance in one. Fifteen patients (75%) had a personal history of migraine. Fifteen MRIs were performed within two weeks (mean: 8 days) and three were late (26 days). All of them were normal. MRI was not performed in two patients.

Conclusion

These results show that VDs occurring after FS correspond to MA and are not transient ischaemic cerebro-vascular events. We suggest a pathophysiological hypothesis resting on the release of endothelin that would reach the cerebral cortex through a paten foramen ovale.

[Recurrent varices at the groin and popliteal fossa after surgical treatment]

Patients who undergo surgery involving the groin and the popliteal fossa often develop recurrent varices which require careful management. Several surveys using various classification systems have estimated the prevalence of recurrent varices after groin and popliteal surgery. Patients may seek medical care for various reasons: unsightly recurrent varicose veins, vein-related symptoms, appearance of cutaneous or subcutaneous changes, concerns about the health risk related to their veins or limitation of activity. Recurrent varices may also be found at routine follow-up examinations. An analysis of recurrence at this location reveals three main mechanisms: incomplete resection of the saphenofemoral or saphenopopliteal junctions in patients with an initially incompetent terminal valve. The persisting reflux feeds the tributaries connected at the saphenous stump; the second mechanism is related to neovascularisation that reconnects the deep venous system with the superficial network; the neo-veins are valveless. This phenomenon appears to be more frequent when the resection of the saphenous vein ending has been complete; the third mechanism is due to a tactical error; the refluxive pelvic veins that had not been diagnosed feed the varices. Duplex scanning identifies the different possible mechanisms and provides anatomical and hemodynamic data. Interventional treatment methods after varices recurrence are redosurgery, sclerotherapy and pelvic vein embolization when they are at issue. All these methods are described in details. Results provided by these treatments are analysed. Unfortunately no randomized control study enables grade A or B recommendations. Personally we suggest that ultrasound guided foam sclerotherapy should be the first-line treatment except when duplex scanning reveals an intact incompetent saphenous stump at the saphenofemoral junction or/and saphenopopliteal junction with a massive reflux filling the varicose network.

Thromboses veineuses superficielles des veines non variqueuses des membres inférieurs

Recent publications allow better understanding of superficial thrombophlebitis (ST) of the lower limb veins. However ST occurring in non varicose veins (NVV) and those occurring in varicose veins (VV) are seldom distinguished in literature.

AIMS OF THE STUDY

1) To estimate the potential gravity of ST occurring in NVV by putting a figure on the frequency of associated deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and symptomatic pulmonary embolism (PE); 2) to identify some risk factors (thrombophilia, systemic disease, thromboembolic events); 3) to assess the different types of thromboembolic recurrent events after superficial thrombophlebitis (TRST) and identify the risk factors for recurrence.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

Forty-two cases of ST occurring in NVV were included consecutively and prospectively in this series; TRST possible risk factors were evaluated. Patients were assessed at 1 month and followed up to 3 years. Isolated ST was treated with low-molecular-weight heparin at prophylactic dosage from 15 to 21 days and with elastic compression.

RESULTS

1) A DVT was combined in 12 cases (28.6%) located in the calf (n=9) or in the femoro-politeal axis (n=3). One symptomatic PE occurred confirmed by ventilation-perfusion lung scan; 2) The risk factor investigations identified a neoplasm in 2 patients (4.8%), a non neoplasic systemic disease in 4 (9.5%) and a thrombophilia in 20 patients. The most frequent thrombophilia was the heterozygous mutation of coagulation factor V (Leiden); 3) All patients were assessed at 1 month with a clinical examination and Duplex Scanning. We did not identify either new DTV, PE or extension of the previous DVT; 4) 17 TRST were identified in 13 patients. Three patients had 2 recurrences; one patient presented a TRST located at 2 different sites. In total 8 new ST and 9 DVT were identified.

DISCUSSION

The analysis of the literature shows that early complications or combinations (DVT and PE) occur with the same prevalence in NVV and VV groups. A risk factor was identified in 62% of patients in this series (thrombophilia was the most common) and TRST were statistically more frequent in this series than in groups of ST occurring in VV we had previously analyzed. A post-thrombotic syndrome and a DVT associated with the ST were identified as statistically significant risk factors for recurrence.

CONCLUSION

ST occurring in NVV, although representing 5 to 10% of all ST, is seldom reported in the literature. Like ST occurring in VV, they have a potential gravity (associated DVT and PE). However these two diseases should be distinguished. A risk factor is more often identified and TRST are more frequent in the group of ST occurring in NVV. We advise active management of these thromboses including screening for a risk factor, the implementation of measures for preventing venous thrombosis recurrence and patient follow-up.

[Superficial venous thrombosis of the lower limbs: prospective analysis in 100 patients]

OBJECTIVES

Our objectives were first to estimate the potential gravity of superficial venous thrombosis (SVT) of the lower limbs by determining the frequency of associated deep venous thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE) and extensions of the junction or a perforating vein and second to identify factors of risk (neoplasia, thrombophilia, connective tissue disease, thromboembolic events).

METHOD

We conducted a prospective study in 100 cases of SVT in 88 patients with varicose veins (VV) and 12 patients without varicose veins (NVV).

RESULTS

Superficial venous thrombosis was identified in 32 cases (32%): muscle vein in 23 (gastrocnemius, solesu), popliteo-femoro-iliac system in 5, and posterior tibial or fibular vein in 4. In 17 cases (17) the SVT extended to deep veins at distant localizations in 15 (15%). Pulmonary embolism was suspected clinically in 10 cases (10%) and confirmed in 3 (3%). An extension to the saphenous junction was observed in 17 cases (17%) and the thrombus migrated into a deep vein in 7. There were 6 cases of a unique extension to a perforating vein. Search for etiology was conducted in 86 cases: 64 were negative (74.4%), there was a neoplasia context in 5 (6%) and a hemostasis disorder in 17 (19.8%) including 6/12 (50%) in the NVV group and 11/74 (15%) in the VV group.

CONCLUSION

Superficial venous thrombosis is often considered to be benign although severe situations can occur in patients with a hemostatis disorder. Consideration of these different factors (risk factors, presence of a deep venous thrombus or pulmonary embolism) should be helpful in determining the etiology and for a better choice of a therapeutic option (medical/surgical) depending on the different subpopulations identified.

[Pre- and postoperative contribution of Doppler ultrasonography in superficial venous surgery of the popliteal fossa]

AIMS OF THE STUDY

Does preoperative Duplex Scan (DS) allow to determine anatomy of the ending of the short saphenous vein (SSV), gastrocnemius vein (GV) and reflux in popliteal vein (PV), SSV and GV. Postoperative DS was performed to detect deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and GV thrombosis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

From June 94 to November 95 one hundred and eighty lower limbs operated for SSV were included consecutively and prospectively. Mean age in these 154 patients was 52 yr (24-80) with a sex ratio 4F/1M. An anatomical classification was previously defined. Type A: separate termination of SSV and GV; Type B: common ostium of SSV and GV in the popliteal vein; Type C: common trunk of the SSV and GV; Type D: Others. Forty-eight limbs (26.10%) had ligation of GV: 21 (11.10%) for reflux and 27 (16%) for anatomical or surgical reasons. Ten type A with GV reflux (10/31 = 32%) were not treated. Eighty two patients (45%) received preventive low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) treatment including the 48 limbs whose GV were ligated.

RESULTS

Anatomical correlation between DS and surgery findings were calculated. Positive predictive values of DS in the different types were: A, 77%; B, 68%; C, 90%; D, 79%. That gave a global predictive value of 80%. Two limited DVT were identified in group D by postoperative DS (2/10 = 1.1%). These two patients had complete recanalization of PV without reflux. In the group of limbs which had ligation of GV we identified 37.5% of GV thrombosis. In the group without ligation of GV we found 3% of GV thrombosis.

CONCLUSION

Duplex scanning appears to be the investigation of choice before surgery for superficial vein incompetence in the popliteal fossa. It is a reliable investigation to determine termination patterns of SSV and GV (80%). It brings to the surgeon essential information which helps in the management of surgical procedure and particularly to ligation of gastrocnemius veins. But at this time there is no consensus on this point. The occurrence of DVT after SSV surgery including GV ligation was very low. Two questions remain: is anticoagulation necessary in all patients or selective after surgery of the SSV? is Duplex Scan mandatory during postoperative monitoring? On the basis of this study, one recommendation can be made: A routine postoperative DS is necessary after ligation of the GV or when the dissection of the popliteal fossa has been extensive (Type D).