In situ hemodynamics of perforating veins in chronic venous insufficiency

PURPOSE: The prevalence of incompetent perforators increases linearly with the clinical severity of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) and the presence of deep vein incompetence. Putative transmission of deep vein pressure to skin may cause dermal hypoxia and ulceration. Despite extensive prospective interest in the contribution of perforators toward CVI, their hemodynamic role remains controversial. The aim of this prospective study was to determine the in situ hemodynamic performance of incompetent perforating veins across the clinical spectrum of CVI, by means of duplex ultrasonography. METHODS: A total of 265 perforating veins of 90 legs that had clinical signs and symptoms consistent with CVI in 67 patients referred consecutively to the blood flow laboratory were studied. The clinical distribution of the examined limbs was CEAP(0), 10 limbs; CEAP(1-2), 39 limbs; CEAP(3-4), 21 limbs; and CEAP(5-6), 20 limbs. With the use of gated-Doppler ultrasonography on real-time B-mode imaging, the flow velocity waveforms were obtained from the lumen of perforators on release of manual distal leg compression in the sitting position and analyzed for peak and mean velocities, time to peak velocity, volume flow, venous volume displaced outward, and flow pulsatility. The diameter and duration of outward flow (abnormal reflux > 0.5 seconds) were also measured. RESULTS: Incompetent perforators had bigger diameters, higher peak and mean velocities and volume flow, longer time to peak velocity, and bigger venous volume displaced outward (VV(outward)) than competent perforators (all, P <.0001). The diameter of incompetent perforators did not change significantly with CEAP class (all, P >.1). Incompetent thigh and lower-third calf perforators had a significantly bigger diameter than perforators in the upper and middle calf combined (both, P <.05), in incompetent perforators: reflux duration was unaffected by CEAP class or site (P >.3); peak velocity was higher in those in CEAP(3-4) than those in CEAP(1-2) (P =.024); mean velocity in those in CEAP(3-6) during the first second of reflux was twice that of those in CEAP(1-2) (P <.0001); both higher volume flow and VV(outward) were found in the thigh perforators than those in the upper and middle calf thirds (P <.03); CEAP(3-6) volume flow and VV(outward), both in the first second, were twice that in those in CEAP(1-2) (P <.002); flow pulsatility in those in CEAP(5-6) was lower than in those in CEAP(1-2) (P =.014); in deep vein incompetence, higher peak velocity, volume flow, VV(outward), and diameter occurred than in its absence (P <.01). CEAP designation correlated significantly with mean velocity and flow pulsatility, both in the first second (r = 0.3, P <.01). The flow direction pattern in perforator incompetence was uniform across the CVI spectrum: inward on distal manual limb compression, and outward on its release; competent perforators had a smaller percentage of outward flow on limb compression (P <.01). CONCLUSION: In addition to an increase in diameter, perforator incompetence is characterized by significantly higher mean and peak flow velocities, volume flow, and venous volume displaced outward, and a lower flow pulsatility. Differences in early reflux enable a better hemodynamic stratification of incompetent perforators in CVI classes. In the presence of deep reflux, incompetent perforators sustain further hemodynamic impairment. In situ hemodynamics enable quantification of the function of perforators and can be used in the identification of the clinically relevant perforators and the impact of surgery.     

Prevalence and distribution of incompetent perforating veins in chronic venous insufficiency

Purpose: The purpose of this study was the investigation of the prevalence and distribution of incompetent perforating veins (IPVs) in patients with different classes of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) as defined by the updated clinical, etiologic, anatomic, and pathologic classification (CEAP) in relation to the pattern and the extent of venous reflux. Material and methods: The study included 468 limbs of 330 subjects who ranged in age from 18 to 101 years (median, 49 years). The investigation entailed a medical history, a clinical examination, and color flow duplex imaging of the lower limb veins, which were performed by the same vascular surgeon operator. The patients were classified into 7 clinical classes according to CEAP. The superficial and deep venous systems were scanned, with an emphasis on the detection of IPVs. Venous reflux was considered abnormal when its duration exceeded 0.5 seconds. IPVs were classified as medial, posterior, and anterolateral in the upper, middle, or lower third of the thigh or calf (9 thigh and 9 calf fields). Results: The IPVs were found mainly in the medial aspect, more frequently in the middle third of calf, followed by the lower calf and the middle thigh. IPVs were rare in the lateral aspect of the thigh, the medial upper and posterior lower thigh and the posterior upper and lower calf. The prevalence of the IPVs and of deep vein incompetence increased significantly with the clinical severity of CVI (r = .95, P < .01, and r = .9, P < .01, respectively). In the limbs with a documented perforating vein (PV) incompetence, the ratios of calf-to-thigh IPVs and of superficial-and-deep (S + D) over superficial-alone (S; [S + D]/S] venous incompetence increase significantly (r = .87, P < .01 and r = .9, P < .01, respectively) with CEAP grade. The prevalence of reflux involving all systems (S + D + PV) increases significantly (r = .9, P < .01) with clinical severity. In legs with CVI of CEAP 2 to 6, reflux was invariably proximal (thigh) and distal (below knee). Conclusion: In CVI, IPVs are located predominately in the medial aspect of the lower extremity, more often in the middle third of the calf, followed by the lower calf and middle thigh. The prevalence of IPVs and their calf-to-thigh ratio increase linearly with the clinical severity of CVI. Both the prevalence of deep vein incompetence and the ratio of superficial and deep to superficial ([S + D]/S) increase linearly with CEAP classification. These findings support the significant relationship between deep venous reflux and PV incompetence, although the latter may exist in the absence of the former. In CEAP classes 2 to 6, reflux is invariably proximal and distal. Incompetence involving all systems (S + D + PV) increases in prevalence with the severity of CVI. (J Vasc Surg 1998;28:815-25.)     

非血栓性髂静脉受压综合征在下肢慢性静脉功能不全中的诊治意义

目的 探讨非血栓性髂静脉受压综合征(NIVCS)在下肢慢性静脉功能不全中的诊治意义.方法 对210例下肢慢性静脉功能不全(CVI)伴NIVCS患者的治疗成功率、疗效及并发症进行分析.结果 本组男116例,女94例,左下肢192例,右下肢18例,平均年龄55.7岁.介入球囊扩张+支架植入或联合浅静脉手术共210例,技术成功率100.0％.浅静脉曲张治愈率95.8％,下肢肿胀缓解率76.9％,疼痛缓解率80.2％,溃疡愈合率75.0％.平均随访32.4个月,支架总通畅率100.0％.结论 纠正NIVCS或联合抗返流手术能明显改善CVI患者的症状,提出NIVCS可能是部分CVI的基础疾病.     

Agenesis of the iliac veins

Three case reports of patients with the rare anomaly of agenesis of the iliac veins are presented. It is emphasised that full phlebographic investigation should be carried out in such patients before surgical treatment is considered. It is pointed out that surgical ablation may exacerbate the symptoms of leg swelling and varicose veins for which the patients seek advice.     

Efficacy of endoscopic dissection of perforant veins in lower limb chronic lymphovenous insufficiency

Overall 156 patients with lower limb chronic lymphovenous insufficiency were treated and analyzed. All the patients were divided into 3 groups depending on method of perforant veins dissection. First group consisted of 46 patients who underwent epifascial dissection (Cokket's operation), 2nd group--50 patients undergone isolated subfascial dissection from small separate incisions (Madden-Kim's operation), 3rd group--60 patients after endoscopic subfascial dissection (SEPS technology). The results were followed-up to 5 years. It is demonstrated that SEPS technology is associated with the best results in early and late postoperative period (8.3% of recurrences) and prevents the progress of chronic lymphovenous insufficiency. Subfascial dissection promotes early normalization of lower limb microcirculation parameters. Epifascial dissection permits to achieve satisfactory early results, but long-term results are associated with high rate of recurrences especially at the patients with trophic lesions.     

小腿深筋膜下内镜交通支离断术治疗下肢慢性静脉功能不全

目的：探讨小腿深筋膜下内镜交通支离断术（离断术）治疗下肢慢性静脉功能不全合并小腿交通支功能不全的疗效。方法：回顾性分析采用离断术治疗18例（20条肢体）合并小腿交通支功能不全的下肢慢性静脉功能不全的临床资料。结果：共发现69条交通支；功能不全者62支，功能正常者7支。手术离断65支，遗漏4支，除色素沉着外，手术后临床评分较术前均有明显降低（P＜0．01），无严重并发症发生，术后3个月随访，溃疡愈合率为88．9％，愈合后无溃疡复发。结论：小腱深筋膜下的内镜交通支离断术是一种新的安全，有效的治疗下肢慢性静脉功能不全合并小腿交通支功能不全的手术方法，尤其适合静脉性溃疡的患者。     

Diagnosis and Macintosh substitution for chronic anterior cruciate insufficiency

Of 45 consecutive knees undergoing MacIntosh fascia lata anterior cruciate substitution, only five had accompanying collateral ligament laxity. Over a third of cases (16) had more than ten episodes of major instability causing falls to the ground pre-operatively. The initial injury caused haemarthrosis, usually without external trauma (36), was often accompanied by a sensation of knee disruption (18), and was always associated with immediate disability. The results of 26 lateral substitution operations with minimum 12 month follow-up show abolition of pivot shift jerk in all patients. Incomplete control of objective and functional instability postoperatively in four patients may have been related to soft tissue stretching associated with early mobilization in a cast-brace or generalized ligamentous laxity.     

The clinical impact of iliac venous stents in the management of chronic venous insufficiency.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was the presentation of the results of iliac venous stent placement in the management of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). METHODS: Balloon dilation and stent placement for the relief of iliac vein stenoses was performed in 304 limbs with symptomatic CVI. Sixty-one limbs had concomitant saphenous vein ablation. The median age was 52 years (range, 14 to 83 years). The ratio of postthrombotic to nonthrombotic CVI was 1 to 0.9. The CEAP classification clinical scores were: C(2), 24; C(3), 158; C(4), 60; C(5), 13; and C(6), 49. Associated reflux was present in 57% of the limbs. The procedure was performed on an outpatient basis. Intravascular ultrasound scanning was routinely performed because transfemoral venography had poor sensitivity for the detection of iliac vein stenosis. RESULTS: The actuarial primary and secondary stent patency rates at 24 months were 71% and 90%, respectively. The median degree of swelling (graded 0 to 3, for none, pitting, ankle edema, to gross leg edema) declined from grade 2 to grade 1 after surgery (P <.001). The limbs without any swelling increased from 12% before stenting to 47% after stenting (P <.01). The pain level recorded on a visual analogue scale from 0 to 10 declined from a median level of 4 to 0 after stent placement (P <.001). The limbs that were completely free of pain increased from 17% before stenting to 71% after stent placement (P <.001). Stasis dermatitis/ulceration was present in 69 limbs. The improvement in swelling and pain was similar in ulcerated and nonulcerated limbs. The cumulative recurrence-free ulcer healing rate was 62% at 24 months. The rate of ulcer healing was similar whether or not concomitant saphenous ablation was performed. Quality of life has significantly improved. CONCLUSION: The correction of iliac vein outflow obstruction with the placement of stents results in the significant relief of major symptoms of CVI. The procedure is minimally invasive, can be performed on an outpatient basis, has minimal complications with a high patency rate, and does not preclude subsequent open surgery for the correction of restenosis or the associated reflux. If these preliminary results are sustained for a long-term period, stent placement for the correction of iliac vein stenoses may represent a useful advance in the management of CVI.     

髂静脉受压综合症对非血栓性慢性下肢静脉功能不全的影响

目的 观察髂静脉受压综合症对非血栓性慢性下肢静脉功能不全(CVI)发病的影响.方法 分析2002年1月至2006年3月下肢顺行静脉造影数据库,记录髂静脉受压综合症在非血栓性下肢CVI中的发生率、静脉造影特征及其主要的治疗方式.结果 1594例CVI下肢顺行静脉造影中136例诊断为髂静脉受压综合症,占左下肢非血栓性CVI的17%(136/817).下肢顺行静脉造影诊断髂静脉受压综合症的特异性较高.39例髂静脉受压综合症患者经髂静脉血管成形、支架植入术,并同时行浅静脉手术取得了较好的临床效果.结论 髂静脉受压综合症是导致左下肢CVI的重要原因之一,在治疗左下肢CVI时,应重视左髂静脉压迫的处理.     

Methods of concealed exclusion of lower extremities perforated and varicose veins in chronic venous insufficiency

A new method of concealed exclusion of major and minor subcutaneous veins by application of subcutaneous ligatures with the use of special instrument--intravenous elevator was described. The application of this method in 53 patients with varicose disease after complex operations resulted in good and excellent follow-up outcomes.     

Superficial iliac circumflex artery and veins]

Study on the superficial circumflex iliac vascular pedicle. The artery can take its origin separately from the common trunk of the common femoral artery. The decisive element is shown by the variations in course and diameter of the artery, which, in nearly 40% of the cases, seems relatively slender. In thoses cases, the sub cutaneous abdominal artery seems be the essential vascular element. Concerning the veins, they steadily join a principal vein, subjacent to the artery, sometimes doubled by a subordinate vein, satellite of the artery. All these notions incite to some prudence in using flaps that depend for their vascularisation on the superficial circumflex iliac pedicle.