Related Experiment Videos
Sclerosant treatment of varicose veins and deep vein thrombosis
Insights
Compression sclerotherapy for varicose veins did not affect deep vein blood flow. Impedance plethysmography showed no deep vein thrombophlebitis after treatment, though some cases suggested prior deep vein thrombosis.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Surgery
- Phlebology
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Superficial varicose veins are a common condition.
- Compression sclerotherapy is a widely used treatment for varicose veins.
- Concerns exist regarding potential extension of thrombophlebitis to deep veins.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of compression sclerotherapy on deep vein patency.
- To assess the risk of deep vein thrombophlebitis following superficial vein treatment.
Main Methods:
- Impedance plethysmography (IPG) and Doppler ultrasonography were employed.
- Sixty-seven legs in 50 patients underwent compression sclerotherapy using sodium tetradecyl sulfate.
- Deep vein blood flow was assessed before and two weeks after treatment.
Main Results:
- No significant changes in deep vein blood flow were observed post-sclerotherapy.
- IPG revealed delayed venous emptying in nine extremities, indicative of prior deep vein thrombosis.
- No evidence of new deep vein thrombophlebitis was detected.
Conclusions:
- Compression sclerotherapy for superficial varicose veins appears safe regarding deep vein involvement.
- IPG can identify pre-existing deep vein thrombosis, which may persist after superficial treatment.
Abstract:
Impedance plethysmography (IPG) and the Doppler ultrasonographic probe were used to assess whether thrombophlebitis, initiated by injection of a sclerosant into superficial varicose veins, extended to involve the deep veins of the leg. Sixty-seven legs were treated with compression sclerotherapy in 50 patients (26 men, 24 women) whose mean age was 53 years. Indications for this therapy were unacceptable appearance (n = 37), pain (n = 13), cramps (n = 11), and stasis ulcer (n = 6). Each leg received an average of six injections (range, three to 11) of 0.5 mL of sodium tetradecyl sulfate. Blood flow in the deep veins was studied immediately before injection of the sclerosant and one week and two weeks afterward. In each leg, no change in either of these studies was found at one and two weeks following injection treatment. In nine extremities, delayed venous emptying was found on IPG. This persisted after sclerosis and was interpreted as evidence of a previous deep vein thrombosis.