Ambulatory Conservative Hemodynamic Management of Varicose Veins: Critical Analysis of Results at 3 Years

Abstract

This report describes the results of our 3-year experience using ambulatory conservative hemodynamic management (ACHM) for lower extremity venous insufficiency involving the greater saphenous vein (GSV), with specific analysis of recurrence due to neoformation of vessels. We performed 289 ACHM procedures in 259 consecutive patients with GSV-related varicose veins. Follow-up clinical examination and Doppler ultrasound imaging was carried out at 3, 6, 12, 24, and 36 months in all cases to assess formation of neovessels supplied either by the superficial (A) or deep (B) venous system. Our data showed that ACHM achieved excellent improvement, with complete disappearance of varicose veins in 41.2% of cases, good improvement in 43%, fair improvement in 14.1%, and no improvement in 1.7%. The only predictor of outcome was the quality of drainage from the GSV vein. Poor drainage leads to neoformation of vessels supplied by the superficial (A) venous system. In about 50% of cases, drainage appeared spontaneously within 1 year, with a subsequent reduction in formation of neovessels. Neoformation of vessels supplied by the deep (B) venous system (10%) was independent of the quality drainage. This finding suggests that formation of these neovesseis is unrelated to the surgical method used to treat varicose veins. In patients with poor drainage of the saphenous network, neoformation of vessels supplied by the superficial (A) venous system is predictable with regard to both topography and delay. ACHM is a good tool for treatment of varicose veins, as reliable statistical prediction of mid-term results is possible using available models.