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Patterns of flow drainage from varicose veins originating in the incompetent great saphenous vein
Felipe Coelho1, Maria Isabel Sarti Benatti2, Mariana Cavalaro Ricciardi2
1Universidade de Brasília - UnB, Brasília, DF, Brasil.
Insights
Perforating veins (PVs) drain reflux in 64% of chronic venous insufficiency cases. However, PV size and reflux patterns do not correlate with symptom severity in patients with incompetent great saphenous veins (GSV).
Area of Science:
- Vascular Surgery
- Medical Imaging
- Public Health
Background:
- Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is a significant public health concern.
- Understanding reflux patterns in varicose veins secondary to great saphenous vein (GSV) incompetence is crucial for effective treatment.
- Identifying the role of perforating veins (PVs) in CVI is essential for therapeutic management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate reflux drainage patterns in varicose veins originating from incompetent GSV.
- To determine the prevalence and characteristics of PVs involved in reflux.
- To explore the relationship between reflux patterns, PVs, and symptom severity in CVI patients.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 55 ultrasound reports from patients with CVI.
- Assessment of reflux drainage pathways from the GSV.
- Identification and measurement of PVs, including their diameter and drainage points.
- Correlation of findings with clinical symptom staging.
Main Results:
- Reflux from varicose veins drained to PVs in 64% of cases.
- Other drainage patterns included the GSV itself (4%), small saphenous vein (4%), and unidentified varicose trunk veins (29%).
- No significant association was found between symptom severity and reflux drainage patterns or PV diameters.
Conclusions:
- PVs are the primary drainage route for reflux in a majority of CVI cases studied (64%).
- Neither PV diameter nor GSV reflux patterns correlated with the severity of patient symptoms.
- Further research may elucidate other factors influencing CVI symptom severity.
Background:
Chronic venous insufficiency affects the lives of many people and therefore constitutes a public health problem. Knowledge of the drainage patterns of reflux from varicose veins secondary to incompetent saphenous veins is essential to define the best therapeutic management.
Objectives:
To determine the reflux drainage patterns from varicose veins originating in incompetent GSV, the prevalence of perforating veins (PV), and their relationships with symptoms.
Methods:
55 ultrasound reports were analyzed to determine the drainage patterns of reflux from the GSV, location and diameter of PV drainage, and staging of symptoms.
Results:
In 64% of the sample, reflux from varicose veins drained to PVs, in 4% reflux drained to the GSV itself, in another 4% drainage was to the small saphenous vein, and in 29% drainage was to varicose trunk veins in which no direct communication with the deep system could be identified. No associations were observed between symptoms and reflux drainage patterns or PV diameters.
Conclusions:
For this sample, PVs were responsible for draining flow from varicose veins in 64% of cases. Neither PV diameters nor GSV reflux patterns were associated with severity of symptoms.
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