Comparisons of side effects using air and carbon dioxide foam for endovenous chemical ablation

This clinical study evaluated prospectively adverse events immediately following ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy (UGFS) for the treatment of lower extremity venous valvular insufficiency. Incidence of side effects associated with carbon dioxide (CO(2)) foam was compared with a historical control using air-based foam. The literature on the subject was reviewed.

Vital signs were monitored during and immediately after UGFS, and adverse events were recorded for 24 hours following the procedure. The air-based foam group had 49 patients: 44 women and 5 men. The CO(2)-based foam group had 128 patients: 115 women and 13 men. CEAP class was C2EpAsPr, describing varicose veins, primary etiology, and saphenous reflux. UGFS followed thermal ablation of the great saphenous vein. Foam was prepared using the three-way tap technique to mix gas with 1% polidocanol in a 4:1 ratio. Segments of the great and small saphenous veins and their tributaries were treated with UGFS. Foam volumes injected were 27 +/- 10 (SD) (6-46 range) and 25 +/- 12 (6-57 range) mL for air- and CO(2)-based foams respectively (P = .39). Incidence of adverse events was compared by chi(2) statistics. Vital signs were compared by paired t test.

During the procedure, the average heart rate decreased by less than 5 bpm for both groups (P < .001), and blood pressure decreased by less than 3 mm Hg in the CO(2) group (P < .02). Respiratory rate, electrocardiogram, and pulse oxymetry did not change significantly in both air- and CO(2)-foam series (P > .05). Visual disturbances were experienced by 3.1% (4/128) and 8.2% (4/49) patients in the CO(2) and air groups respectively (P = .15). Respiratory difficulties or circumoral paresthesia each occurred in 0.8% (n = 1) of the CO(2) patients. Incidence of chest tightness (3.1% vs 18%), dry cough (1.6% vs 16%), or dizziness (3.1% vs 12%) were significantly lower in the CO(2) vs air groups (P < .02). Nausea occurred in 2% and 4% of the CO(2) and air-based foam groups (P = .53). Overall, the proportion of patients describing side effects decreased from 39% (19/49) to 11% (14/128) as CO(2) replaced air for foam preparation (P < .001). Similar findings were described in the literature of air-based foam but data on the use of physiological gas were rare.

Side effects decreased significantly if CO(2) rather than air was employed to make the sclerosing foam for chemical ablation of superficial veins of the lower extremity.