Arteriovenous shunting in varicose veins. Its diagnosis by Doppler ultrasound flow detector

The use of the Doppler ultrasound detector is described for the diagnosis of arteriovenous (AV) shunting in varicose veins. This investigation was carried out in 34 patients, 27 women and seven men. A total of 68 limbs with varicose veins and 48 control limbs with either no varicose veins or occlusive arterial disease are the basis for the clinical material. Twenty patients had had no prior surgery for their varicose veins and 14 had recurrent varicosities after bilateral ligation and stripping. Five patients had postphlebitic syndrome associated with varicose veins. All five had venous stasis ulcerations and edema. The Doppler flow detector uncovered AV shunting in areas outside the location of known arterial pulsations. The pulsatile venous flow was obtained at sites of "hot spots" and along markedly dilated veins. Maximum AV shunting was found in the lower third of the leg but much less often in the upper leg or thigh. The clinical implications of the role of AV shunting are discussed. The Doppler ultrasound findings appear to offer a simpler method to detect AV shunting than serial arteriography or thermography.     

Patterns of venous insufficiency in patients with varicose veins

The nature and distribution of venous disease surrounding the development of varicose veins and its treatment is controversial. Using duplex ultrasonography, we evaluated 54 lower extremities in 32 patients with varicose veins who were symptomatic and had obvious varicose veins by clinical examination. Twenty-eight percent had greater saphenous trunk incompetence, 2% had lesser saphenous trunk incompetence, and 96% had branch disease. Deep valvular incompetence was seen in 41%, saphenofemoral junction incompetence in 46%, and incompetence of one or more perforators in 46% of the extremities. Thirty-three percent demonstrated no evidence of associated saphenofemoral junction, deep vein, or perforating vein incompetence, while 20% had concurrent saphenofemoral junction, deep vein, and perforating vein incompetence. These data support the heterogeneity of venous disease seen in patients with varicose veins and suggest that surgical therapy be directed to a patient's specific pattern of incompetence rather than routine saphenofemoral junction ligation or stripping of the greater saphenous trunk.     

Arterio-venous fistula following a lumbar disc surgery

Vascular complications during posterior lumbar disc surgery are rare and its presentation with varicose veins is even rarer. A 23 year-old male patient presented with large varicose veins in right lower limb. He underwent a posterior lumbar spine discectomy surgery. He noticed mild swelling of the distal third right lower limb 3 months after index surgery and reported 6 months later when he developed varicose veins. Duplex Doppler confirmed varicose veins of the long saphenous vein and its tributaries with a patent deep venous system. A digital subtraction angiogram demonstrated a large right common iliac artery (CIA) false aneurysm with an arteriovenous fistula between right common iliac vessels. He had a right CIA covered stent insertion with good results. Varicose veins were later managed with sapheno-femoral junction ligation and a below knee long saphenous vein stripping. At six month follow-up the lower limb swelling had completely recovered and duplex ultrasound did not show any recurrence of varicose veins.     

Association of primary varicose veins with dysregulated vein wall apoptosis.

BACKGROUND: Disordered programmed cell death may play a role in the development of superficial venous incompetence. We have determined the number of cells in apoptosis, and the mediators regulating the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways in specimens of varicose vein. METHODS: Venous segments were obtained from 46 patients undergoing surgical treatment for primary varicose veins. Controls samples were obtained from 20 patients undergoing distal arterial bypass grafting surgery. Segments of the distal and proximal saphenous trunk as well as tributaries were studied. Cell apoptoses and mediators of the mitochondrial and trans membrane pathway were evaluated with peroxidase in situ apoptosis detection, Bax and Fas detection, caspase-9 and 8 detection in the medial layer. RESULTS: Disorganised histological architecture was observed in varicose veins. Primary varicose veins also contained fewer peroxidase in situ-positive cells than control veins (2.6% S.D. 0.2% versus 12% S.D. 0.93%, P=.0001, Mann-Whitney u test), fewer Bax positive cells (2.1.% S.D. 0.3% versus 13% S.D. 0.9%, P=.0001) and fewer Caspase 9 positive cells (3.2% S.D. 1% versus 12% S.D. 1.3%, P=.0001). Similar findings were observed in saphenous trunk, main tributaries and accessory veins. In patients with recurrent varicose veins in whom the saphenous trunk had been preserved showed similar findings to primary varicose veins. Residual varicose veins contained fewer peroxidase in situ-positive cells than healthy veins (3.2% S.D. 0.6% versus 11% S.D. 2%, P=.0001), fewer Bax positive cells (2.2% S.D. 0.3% versus 12% S.D. 0.7%, P=.0001) and fewer Caspase 9 positive cells (2.6% S.D. 0.6% versus 12% S.D. 1%, P=.0001). Immunohistochemical detection for Fas and caspase 8 remained equal was the same in the varicose vein and control groups. CONCLUSION: Apoptosis is down regulated in the medial layer of varicose veins. This dysregulation is attributable to a disorder of the intrinsic pathway and involves the great saphenous vein trunk, major tributaries and accessory veins. This process may be among the causes of primary varicose veins.     

大隐静脉属支结扎与否对微波腔内闭合术疗效的影响

目的:观察大隐静脉5大属支结扎与否对微波腔内闭合术治疗大隐静脉曲张疾病效果的影响.方法:对600例大隐静脉曲张疾病患者行微波腔内闭合术,其中,400例(635条患肢)采取大隐静脉高位结扎加主干微波腔内闭合术,经皮穿刺微波闭合下肢浅表曲张静脉与病变交通静脉(观察组);200例(313条患肢)除以上处理外,结扎大隐静脉5个属支(对照组).结果:两组患者术后均获满意疗效.两组间浅静脉曲张、患肢肿胀、色素沉着、溃疡的改善情况及术后并发症发生率、5年复发率等均无明显差异(均P＞0.05).超声影像学显示,观察组术后股总静脉流速较术前明显减慢,内径明显减小(均P＜0.05);而对照组术后股总静脉流速较术前明显减慢(P＜0.05),但内径减小未达统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论:大隐静脉5大属支结扎与否不影响微波腔内闭合术治疗大隐静脉曲张疾病的效果.     

A Nondraining Saphenous System Is a Factor of Poor Prognosis for Long-Term Results in Surgery of Great Saphenous Vein Recurrences

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to examine the evolution of superficial venous disease after the suppression of every principal or accessory saphenous trunk. METHODS: To achieve this aim, the long-term results of complete ablation of saphenous trunks and varicose veins during redo surgery for recurrent great saphenous veins have been assessed. Of 170 extremities (137 patients), 4.9 years of follow-up data based on physical and ultrasound examinations were obtained for 119 extremities (100 patients). RESULTS: No varicose veins could be observed for 27.7% of extremities. For 45.3% diffuse varicose veins without reflux between the deep and superficial system could be observed. For 26.8% varicose veins and a new reflux had developed between the deep and superficial venous system. After 5 years, recurrent varicose veins were significantly associated, before operation, with the absence of insufficient residual saphenous trunk and with the presence of diffuse varicose veins (p=0.015) and, during redo surgery, with a higher number of phlebectomy incisions (p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The absence of superficial venous drainage (complete removal of varicose veins and saphenous trunk) leads to appearance of rerecurrences in the surgery of great saphenous vein recurrences, 72.3% of the cases show still new varices at the 5-year follow-up. This poor prognosis probably suggests the presence of a nondraining superficial venous system.     

Age-related variations of varicose veins anatomy

BACKGROUND: Primary varicose veins are commonly considered a progressive disease starting from the saphenous junctions and extending to tributaries in a retrograde fashion along the saphenous trunks. This theory has been criticized by studies indicating different patterns of development and progression of varicose veins. To contribute to the understanding of the pathogenesis of the disease, the anatomy of the venous bed was comparatively evaluated by duplex sonography in patients with varicose veins with a marked difference in age. METHODS: The study included 100 varicose limbs in 82 patients aged < 30 years and 238 limbs in 183 patients aged > 60 years. Veins were designated as saphenous veins (SVs), tributaries of the SVs (STVs), and veins not connected with the SVs (NSVs). Four main anatomic patterns were comparatively evaluated: (1) varicose changes only along SVs, (2) varicose changes along SVs and STVs, (3) varicose changes only in STVs, and (4) varicose changes only in NSVs. RESULTS: SVs were normal in 44% of varicose limbs. In most limbs from young subjects, varicose changes afflicted only SVTs (25%) and NSVs (36%). Varicose SVs were more frequent in the older group (62%) than in younger one (39%) owing to a higher prevalence of limbs with combined SV and STV varicosities (respectively, 59% and 37%). In the older group, varicosities in the STVs were more frequently observed in association with incompetence of the SV trunks. CONCLUSION: The frequent occurrence of normal SVs in varicose limbs of all patients does not support the crucial role commonly credited to SVs in the pathogenesis of primary varicosities. Moreover, the SV trunks were normal in most varicose limbs from young patients. These findings suggest that varicose disease may progressively extend in an antegrade fashion, spreading from the STVs to the SVs. This hypothesis suggests that the saphenous trunks could be spared in the treatment of a relevant number of varicose legs. Prospective longitudinal studies with serial duplex evaluations of large series of extremities are necessary to confirm this hypothesis.     

下肢静脉曲张术后复发的原因分析(附46例报告)

目的分析下肢静脉曲张术后复发的原因。方法总结中山大学附属第二医院2002年6月至2004年8月收治的46例（52条患肢）下肢静脉曲张术后复发病人的临床资料，其中合并下肢静脉性溃疡20例（24条患肢）。所有病人均行深、浅静脉及交通静脉彩色多普勒超声检查和患肢顺行性深静脉造影。结果复发的原因有大隐静脉主干及其部分属支残存（11条患肢），合并交通静脉功能不全（35条患肢），合并深静脉瓣膜功能不全（20条患肢）。出现小隐静脉曲张（10条患肢），深静脉血栓形成后遗症（5条患肢），同时存在3个静脉系统病变（15条患肢）。结论下肢静脉曲张术后复发的原因较为复杂，通常累及3个静脉系统。交通静脉功能不全是导致下肢静脉曲张术后复发的主要原因。术前全面的影像学检查和选择正确的手术方式是避免术后静脉曲张复发的关键。     

Prevalence of varicose veins and venous anatomy in patients without truncal saphenous reflux.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence and distribution of primary venous reflux in the lower limbs in patients without truncal saphenous reflux. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One thousand and seven hundred and twelve patients with suspected venous disease were examined by duplex ultrasonography. Seven hundred and thirty-five patients had primary varicose veins with competent saphenous trunks. Limbs with truncal saphenous reflux, deep vein reflux or obstruction, previous injection sclerotherapy or vein surgery, arterial disease and inflammation of non-venous origin were excluded from further consideration. The CEAP classification system was used for clinical staging. Systematic duplex ultrasound examination was undertaken to assess the distribution of incompetent saphenous tributaries. RESULTS: The prevalence of primary reflux with competent saphenous trunks was 43%. Reflux of GSV calf tributaries was the most common. The majority of the limbs (96%) belonged to chronic venous disease classes C1 and C2 of the CEAP classification. CONCLUSIONS: Superficial venous reflux causing varicose veins in the presence competent saphenous trunks is very prevalent in this series in contrast to other studies, presumably reflecting differing patient populations. Our data clearly show that varicose veins may occur in any vein and do not depend on truncal saphenous incompetence. Careful duplex ultrasound evaluation allows the pattern of venous reflux to be established in this group of patient ensuring appropriate management of varices.     

The surgical anatomy of the superficial and perforating veins of the lower limb.

The superficial venous system was dissected in 60 legs. A possible function is ascribed to the long saphenous vein and an argument against its stripping in varicose veins presented. Abnormality of the long saphenous vein and its association with varicose veins is described. Particular features of the saphenous tributaries are noted and their relevance in varicosity discussed. The perforator system is described, the distinguishing properties of the medial ankle perforators being examined and their anatomical confinement delineated.     

Reappraisal of the oxygenation of blood in varicose veins

Raised oxygen tension in the blood of varicose veins has led to arteriovenous communications being implicated in the pathogenesis of varicose veins. The aim of this study was to compare the oxygen tension of blood from varicose veins with that from normal legs, and to observe the effect of posture on these measurements. Twenty-six subjects (13 normal controls and 13 with uncomplicated varicose veins) had blood sampled from the long saphenous vein or a varicose vein near the ankle. Samples were taken after 30 min in the supine position and repeated after 30 min standing. Samples were also taken simultaneously from the arm. Transcutaneous oxygen measurements of the gaiter skin were performed continuously throughout the experiment. In the supine position, blood from varicose veins had a significantly higher oxygen tension (median = 6.09 kPa) than that from normal veins (median = 4.54 kPa) (P = 0.022). In all subjects, there was a higher oxygen tension in leg vein blood when lying (varicose vein median value = 6.09 kPa, control median value = 4.54 kPa) than while standing (varicose vein median value = 3.93 kPa, control median value = 3.74 kPa) (P less than 0.002, varicose vein group; P = 0.005, normal group). Changes in transcutaneous oxygen tension correlate poorly with changes in venous blood. It is concluded that the theory of arteriovenous anastomoses is only one among a number of possible explanations for the pathogenesis of varicose veins.     

A prospective randomized trial evaluating the haemodynamic role of incompetent calf perforating veins

AIM: This study was undertaken to determine the haemodynamic effect of incompetent calf perforating veins in patients with uncomplicated varicose veins and long saphenous incompetence. METHODS: Thirty-eight limbs from 35 patients were studied. All patients had uncomplicated varicose veins with both long saphenous and calf perforator incompetence on duplex ultrasonography. Patients were randomized to have incompetent calf perforators ligated or left intact, in addition to saphenofemoral junction ligation, strip of long saphenous vein to knee and stab avulsion of any visible varicosities in the leg. Patients were assessed with air plethysmography pre-operatively and 3 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Superficial venous surgery improved venous volume, venous filling index and ejection fraction in the patient cohort. No significant haemodynamic difference was demonstrated between the two groups of patients who were randomized. CONCLUSIONS: At present, the results of this study do not support the use of routine perforator ligation during superficial surgery for uncomplicated varicose veins.     

Recurrent varicose veins following high ligation of long saphenous vein: a duplex ultrasound study

Duplex scanning was used to study recurrent varicose veins in 244 limbs with previous high ligation of the long saphenous vein. The recurrent varicose veins were classified into two types according to the presence or absence of a residual long saphenous vein. Varicose veins with a residual long saphenous vein (type I) occurred in 168 limbs (68.9%). A residual long saphenous vein with an incompetent saphenofemoral junction was present in 125 limbs and one without any residual saphenofemoral junction in 43 limbs. Besides the presence of an incompetent long saphenous vein in this group, an incompetent short saphenous vein was detected in 26 limbs, incompetent perforating vein(s) in 45 limbs and incompetent deep veins in 26 limbs. Varicose veins without a residual long saphenous vein (type II) occurred in 76 limbs (31.1%). An incompetent short saphenous vein was demonstrated in 44 limbs, incompetent perforating vein(s) in 18 limbs and incompetent deep veins in 32 limbs. Of the total 244 limbs with recurrent varicose veins, long saphenous vein incompetence was involved in 168 (68.9%), short saphenous vein incompetence in 70 (28.7%), perforating vein incompetence in 63 (25.8%) and deep venous incompetence in 58 (23.8%). Although saphenofemoral junction incompetence was found to be the main source of recurrence, a segment of incompetent residual long saphenous vein, an incompetent short saphenous vein, perforating vein and deep venous system incompetence are other common sources of recurrence. A precise assessment to identify underlying venous incompetence is important for the management of recurrent varicose veins.     

Gross anatomy of primary varicose veins observed in endoscopic surgery

The gross anatomy of varicose veins is one of the most important factors in the study of varicosity. Because of wide variations in the extent of involvement and degree of severity of varicose veins, it is difficult to obtain live and intact specimens of varicose veins. With good illumination and magnified monitor viewing, the varicositic main channel, its tributaries, and the incompetent perforating veins can be dissected and visualized clearly during endoscopic surgery. Thus, the whole range of varicosities can be observed directly in situ. Characteristic features of the varicosities of 350 limbs have been recorded by video and photographs for study and classification. These features include: 1) poor contractility of varicose veins; 2) dilated and tortuous changes of varicose veins; 3) saccular or lateral bulging deformities of vein walls, or both; 4) uniformly dilated and tortuous deformities of a long vein; 5) varicositic changes of the accessory vein; 6) anatomic abnormalities of varicose veins, such as supernumerary tributaries, varicositic clusters, and a crowded relationship among the long saphenous vein, perforating vein and tributaries; 7) various conditions of the perforating veins; and 8) the close relationship among the long saphenous vein, perforating veins, and the saphenous nerve. These data provide valuable information for the study and management of primary varicose veins.     

Anatomical Patterns of the Above Knee Great Saphenous Vein and its Tributaries: Implications for Endovenous Treatment Strategy

Objective: The aim of the present study was to analyse the anatomical patterns of the above knee great saphenous vein (GSV) and its tributaries in limbs with varicose veins in view of potential suitability for endovenous treatment. Methods: Limbs of a consecutive series of new patients with varicose veins presenting at the phlebologic clinic during a 4 month period were studied. In 73 limbs of 56 patients with varicose veins and both saphenofemoral junction and GSV reflux, anatomical patterns of the above knee GSV were defined as :

-‘complete’ GSV: main trunk visualised within the saphenous compartment from the groin to the knee

-‘incomplete’ GSV: main trunk partially visualised from the groin to mid thigh with a non-refluxing mostly hypoplastic distal GSV and a superficial tributary vein (STV) parallel to the GSV.

Results: 51 limbs (70 %) had a ‘complete’ GSV. In 4 of these 51 limbs reflux passed from the main GSV trunk to a STV at mid thigh level leaving a non-refluxing part of the GSV from mid thigh to the knee.

Conclusion: In only 64% of limbs with varicose veins the entire above knee GSV was involved in the disease. This may have implications for endovenous treatment strategy.     

Superficial vein surgery and SEPS for chronic venous insufficiency

Venous insufficiency in its severe forms leads to skin changes which, in turn may be treated by surgical therapy. Interventions are directed towards correction of the underlying abnormal venous physiology. This involves removal of varicose veins and ablation of incompetent axial veins and relevant perforating veins. In performing ablation of saphenous vein reflux, techniques include high ligation with stripping, radiofrequency ablation, endovenous laser therapy, and foam sclerotherapy. Incompetent perforator interruption can be accomplished surgically by subfascial endoscopic perforator surgery (SEPS) or controlled sclerotherapy using ultrasound. A variety of techniques have emerged to manage the varicose veins themselves. Surgical treatment of chronic venous insufficiency with high ligation in the groin and inversion stripping of the great saphenous vein to the knee combined with stab avulsion of varicose veins continues to be the standard in treatment of varicose veins. There are few comparisons of sclerotherapy of perforating veins with SEPS, but SEPS has become the most popular of surgical options.     

内镜下深筋膜下交通支离断术治疗老年下肢慢性静脉性溃疡

目的 :探讨电视内镜下深筋膜下交通支静脉离断术治疗老年下肢慢性静脉性溃疡的可行性。方法 :大隐静脉曲张 6例 (10条肢体 ) ,同时存在浅静脉倒流、交通支静脉功能不全和静脉性溃疡 ,4条肢体深静脉功能不全。手术方法为高位结扎大隐静脉 ,分段抽剥 ,内镜下行深筋膜下交通支离断术 ,1例行股静脉戴戒术。结果 :术后肢体症状和浅静脉曲张消失 ,肢体溃疡或皮炎 3周内愈合。结论 :内镜下深筋膜下交通支结扎术具有微创、有效的特点 ,是治疗下肢静脉功能不全性溃疡的有效方法     

Endovascular radiofrequency ablation: a novel treatment of venous insufficiency in Klippel-Trenaunay patients

INTRODUCTION: Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome (KTS) is an uncommon congenital disorder of uncertain etiology that comprises the clinical triad of varicose veins, port wine stain, and bony or soft-tissue hypertrophy. The literature suggests that the deep venous system is often under-developed. We propose that duplex venous ultrasound can effectively demonstrate patent deep venous systems in KTS patients with mild to moderate disease, and that endovascular radiofrequency ablation can be utilized in a safe and appropriate therapeutic manner. METHODS: A single center retrospective review of three patients with KTS treated with endovascular radiofrequency ablation of the KT veins and/or great saphenous veins was conducted. Preoperatively, patients underwent both venography and were studied with color flow duplex ultrasound system iU22 with a 7-5 MHz linear array probe (Philips Medical Systems, NA, Bothell, Wash). The anomalous KT veins, great saphenous and saphenous tributaries, and associated incompetent perforators were ablated with radiofrequency catheters (VNUS Medical Technologies, Inc, San Jose, Calif). All the radiofrequency ablations were complimented by ultrasound guided sclerotherapy of the varicose tributaries and when evident, incompetent perforator veins. RESULTS: The diagnostic series of duplex ultrasounds performed on our KTS patients has demonstrated contiguous deep venous systems in the effected extremity and effectively recognized the associated anomalous superficial venous systems. Our treatment resulted in successful occlusion of the incompetent veins in all three patients. DISCUSSION: The three patients, females aged 39, 19, and 16, presented with port wine stains and many years of leg-swelling and varicose veins that were recalcitrant to conservative treatment measures, including compression stockings and pulsed-dye laser therapy. Venography initially revealed poorly developed deep venous systems. However, venous ultrasound demonstrated patent and competent deep venous systems in all of the affected limbs. Radiofrequency ablations were performed to manage the sequella of venous insufficiency. At short-term follow-up, all patients demonstrated markedly decreased leg pain, edema, and varicose vein bulging. CONCLUSIONS: Three KTS patients were successfully treated with radiofrequency ablation of the incompetent great saphenous and/or anomalous superficial veins. Although the deep veins were poorly visualized on venography, they were clearly demonstrated with duplex ultrasound and functioned adequately once the incompetent superficial veins were ablated.     

下肢静脉曲张治疗方法进展及要点

下肢静脉曲张是血管外科最为常见的疾病，经典的传统术式为大（小）隐静脉高位结扎剥脱术。但近年来该治疗领域涌现了不少新技术新方法，腔内热闭合就是其中之一，近年来该技术逐渐成为了治疗下肢静脉曲张的主流朮式，大有取代经典传统手术的趋势。随着下肢静脉曲张治疗理念的更新，后热闭合时代也即将来临，常温闭合技术展现出了广阔的应用前景。下肢静脉曲张的治疗方法选择日趋多样化、个体化和微创化。     

双功能多普勒彩超在CVI复发病例中的诊断价值

目的对照下肢顺行静脉造影,评价双功能多普勒彩超在CVI术后复发病例的诊断价值。方法针对22例24侧下肢慢性静脉功能不全（CVI）术后复发肢体,应用双功能多普勒彩超和下肢顺行静脉造影,明确复发原因并比较两者优缺点。结果从复发原因看,95．83％（23／24）的病例存在交通静脉功能不全,70．83％（17／24）的病例存在隐静脉主干及部分属支残留,66．67％（16／24）的病例存在深静脉瓣膜功能不全。在判断静脉通畅性上,下肢静脉造影优于双功彩超,其诊断准确率达100％,无一漏诊;两者在深静脉功能判断上符合率87．5％;双功能彩超在隐静脉主干及近侧属支阳性检出率达100％,高于下肢静脉造影,后者的符合率为79．16％;双功能彩超能精确定位交通静脉,对交通静脉的漏诊率（5．11％）低于下肢顺行静脉造影（28．31％）。结论双功能彩超对CVI术后复发病例的病因及定位诊断,尤其是隐-股静脉交界处的病因分析和交通静脉精确定位,具有下肢静脉造影不可替代的优势。