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Stroke after varicose vein foam injection sclerotherapy
Martin V Forlee1, Maria Grouden, Dermot J Moore
1Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, St James Hospital, Dublin, Ireland. mvforlee@eircom.net
Journal of Vascular Surgery
|January 18, 2006
Summary
Foam injection sclerotherapy for varicose veins may pose embolic risks, as illustrated by a case of ischemic stroke in a patient with a patent foramen ovale. This highlights a potential complication of this minimally invasive treatment.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Surgery
- Neurology
- Medical Devices
Background:
- Foam injection sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive treatment for varicose veins.
- Concerns regarding gas embolism led to a temporary halt in clinical trials of polidocanol microfoam.
- Neurologic complications have been previously reported with this technique.
Observation:
- A patient with a patent foramen ovale developed an ischemic stroke following foam injection sclerotherapy.
- The patient had undergone treatment for varicose veins using foam injection.
Findings:
- This case presents strong circumstantial evidence linking foam injection sclerotherapy to embolic complications.
- The occurrence of ischemic stroke suggests a potential pathway for paradoxical embolism in patients with patent foramen ovale.
Implications:
- The findings underscore the importance of considering patient-specific factors, such as patent foramen ovale, when performing foam sclerotherapy.
- Further research is warranted to fully elucidate the embolic risks associated with foam injection sclerotherapy.
- This case highlights the need for vigilance regarding potential neurologic complications during and after the procedure.
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