Background: Varicose veins recurrence rate remained almost unchanged despite the constant technological advancement in its treatment. The aim of this study is to evaluate the variable accessory saphenous vein (ASV) anatomy at the sapheno-femoral junction (SFJ) as a possible risk factor for recurrent varicose vein (RVV) after great saphenous vein (GSV) radiofrequency thermal ablation (RTA). Methods: Two-hundred consecutive patients affected by chronic venous disease (mean age 52.4 +/- 10.3 years; 187 women; CEAP C-2-C-6; 25.2 +/- 1.4), underwent to RTA from 2014 to 2016, at our Institute. Preoperatively all patients underwent duplex-ultrasound scanning, reporting the anatomical site, extension of reflux and the ASV anatomy at the SFJ. Duplex ultrasound and physical examination was performed postoperatively at 1, 6 and 12 months, and yearly thereafter. Results: Patients were divided in two groups based on the anatomical site of reflux: group A (N.=187) including GSV and SFJ, group B (N.=82) including SFJ reflux. There was no preoperative statistical difference between the two groups. At a mean follow-up of 29.7 +/- 2.4 months, a freedom from recurrent varicose vein and GSV recanalization was: 100% and 100% at 1 month, 95.9% and 99.1% at 1 year, 93.7% and 96.7% at 3 years, respectively. A higher rate of RVV was documented for patients in group A at 3-year of follow-up (P=0.042). Cox regression analysis found, among five potential predictors of outcome, that direct confluence of ASV in SFJ (HR=1.561; 95% CI: 1.0-7.04; P=0.032) was a negative predictors of 1-year RVV. Conclusions: Sapheno-femoral junction morphology may affect recurrent varicose veins formation. In particular, a concomitant incompetence of the accessory saphenous vein or its directly confluence into the SFJ could represent an indication to simultaneous treatment by non-surgical techniques (RTA or laser) and avoid surgical ligation.

Purpose: To assess early and midterm outcomes of iliac branch device (IBD) implantation without an aortic stent-graft for the treatment of isolated common iliac artery aneurysm (CIAA). Methods: From December 2006 to June 2016, 49 isolated CIAAs in 46 patients were treated solely with an IBD at 7 vascular centers. Five patients were lost to follow-up, leaving 41 male patients (mean age 72.5±7.8 years) for analysis. Mean CIAA diameter was 39.1±10.5 mm (range 25–65). Thirty-two patients (2 with bilateral CIAAs) were treated with a Cook Zenith iliac branch device; 9 patients (1 bilateral) received a Gore Excluder iliac branch endoprosthesis. Primary endpoints were technical success, survival, aneurysm exclusion, device patency, and freedom from reintervention at 1 and 5 years. Freedom from major adverse events and aneurysm shrinkage at 1 year were also assessed. Results: Thirty-day mortality and the IBD occlusion rate were 2.4% and 2.3%, respectively. At a mean follow-up of 40.2±33.9 months, no patient presented buttock claudication, erectile dysfunction, or bowel or spinal cord ischemia. Three patients died within 6 months after the procedure. Estimates of cumulative survival, device patency, and freedom from reintervention were 90.2%, 95.2%, and 95.7%, respectively, at 1 and 5 years. At 1 year, CIAA shrinkage ≥5 mm was recorded in 21 of 38 survivors. No evidence of endoleak, device migration, or disconnection was found on imaging follow-up. Conclusion: The use of IBDs without an aortic stent-graft for isolated CIAAs resulted in excellent patency, with low morbidity and mortality. This, in conjunction with no endoleak or migration and a low reintervention rate, supports the use of isolated IBDs as a stable and durable means of endovascular reconstruction in cases with suitable anatomy. Longer follow-up and a larger cohort are needed to validate these results.

Recanalization of the saphenous vein trunk after endovenous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is often associated with recurrent varicose veins (RVVs) or recanalization. This study aimed to assess the long-term results of RFA of the great saphenous vein (GSV) and identify the risk factors for GSV recanalization and RVVs during follow-up for patients presenting to dedicated outpatient vein centers. All consecutive patients with incompetent GSVs who underwent RFA between 2009 and 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. The primary study end points were freedom from GSV recanalization and the RVV rate during follow-up. The secondary study end points were the postoperative complication rate and the risk factors for GSV recanalization and RVVs. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the potential risk factors for GSV recanalization and RVVs. During the study period, 1568 limbs were treated in 1300 consecutive patients (mean age, 53.5 ± 12.9 years; 71.9% women; CEAP [clinical, etiology, anatomy, pathophysiology] C2-C6; venous clinical severity score >5). Technical success was achieved in 99.7% of cases. At a mean follow-up of 57.2 ± 25.4 months, the GSV occlusion and freedom from reintervention rates were 100% and 100% within 1 week, 97% and 95.7% at 1 year, 95.2% and 93.1% at 3 years, and 92.4% and 92.8% at 5 years, respectively. The recurrence rate was 10% (n = 158) during the follow-up period. On multivariate analysis, a direct confluence of the accessory saphenous vein into the saphenofemoral junction (odds ratio [OR], 1.561; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.0-7.04; P = .032), a history of pregnancy >2 (OR, 3.68; 95% CI, 1.19-11.36; P = .023), C4 (OR, 6.41; 95% CI, 1.36-30.28; P = .019), and preoperative GSV diameter >10 mm (OR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.65-4.03; P = .043) were risk factors for GSV recanalization. Moreover, age >70 years (OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.01-1.06; P = .014) and incompetent perforator veins (OR, 1.17; 95% CI, 0.65-2.03; P = .018) were also risk factors for RVVs. RFA is a safe technique to ablate the GSV with a low complication rate and durability during 5 years of follow-up. However, patients with a high clinical score and those with direct confluence of the accessory saphenous vein into the saphenofemoral junction experienced higher long-term GSV recanalization and RVV rates.

Objective: to compare the outcomes of mechanochemical ablation (MOCA) versus saphenopopliteal junction ligation and stripping (OS) for symptomatic small saphenous vein (SSV) insufficiency. Methods: This is a retrospective study including symptomatic SSV patients treated with MOCA using the ClariVein catheter (Merit Medical, South Jordan, Utah, USA) or OS from 2015 to 2019. Results: A total of 60 limbs (73.3% women, mean age 54.7 ± 14.4 years) were treated with MOCA and 58 limbs (63.8% women, mean age 54 ± 11.6 years) with OS. At 18 months follow-up, recurrence rates were 7.5% (4/53) for MOCA vs. 5.7% (3/52) for the OS group. MOCA group was associated with less pain at first postoperative day, and an early return to work (MOCA 3.5 ± 2.3 days vs. OS 14.2 ± 3.8 days, p < .0001). No cases of leg paresthesia/dysesthesia were observed in the MOCA group, while two patients (3.4%) presented neurological symptoms after OS treatment. Conclusion: MOCA and OS are both safe and effective techniques for symptomatic SSV insufficiency. MOCA group demonstrated to be associated with less postoperative pain and early return to work compared to OS.

This study aimed to evaluate postoperative outcomes of patients with chronic iliofemoral venous outflow obstruction and post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) who underwent endovascular recanalization and stenting across the inguinal ligament. All consecutive patients with chronic iliofemoral venous outflow obstruction and PTS were included in the analysis, from January 2018 and February 2022. Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative outcomes were assessed. Primary endpoints analyzed were major adverse events (MAEs) at 30 days and primary patency rate at 2 years of follow-up. Secondary endpoints assessed were secondary patency rate, target vessel revascularization, and clinical improvement evaluated with the Venous Clinical Severity Score (VCSS) classification, Villalta scale, and visual analog scale (VAS), respectively. A total of 63 patients (mean age, 48.1 ± 15.5 years; female, 61.9%) were evaluated. No intraoperative and 30-day postoperative complications were documented. The technical success rate was achieved at 100%. Overall, one in-stent occlusion and five in-stent restenosis were detected during follow-up. The primary patency rate was 93.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 87.8%-99.9%) and 92.1% (95% CI, 85.6%-99%), at 1- and 2-year follow-up, respectively (Kaplan-Meier analysis). Target vessel revascularization was conducted in two cases, resulting in a secondary patency of 98.4% (95% CI, 95.4%-100%) at 2 years of follow-up. Stent fracture and/or migration were not observed during follow-up. A significant clinical improvement in the patient's quality of life was documented. The median improvement of VCSS and Villalta scores were 4 (interquartile range, 2-7; P = .001), and 3 (interquartile range, 1.5-5; P = .001) vs baseline at the last follow-up. Overall, pain reduction of 17 mm on the VAS scale was documented at 2 years of follow-up. At multivariate analysis, presence of trabeculation into the femoral vein and deep femoral vein (odds ratio, 1.89; 95% CI, 0.15-6.11; P = .043), and Villalta scale >15 points at admission (odds ratio, 1.89; 95% CI, 0.15-6.11; P = .043) were predictive for in-stent occlusion during the follow-up. The use of a dedicated venous stent across the inguinal ligament was safe and effective for the treatment of symptomatic iliofemoral venous disease with acceptable primary and secondary patency rates at 2 years of follow-up.

Article: Endovascular treatment of iliofemoral vein obstruction below the inguinal ligament using a new-dedicated stent: early experience from a single center - International Angiology 2021 June;40(3):187-95 - Minerva Medica - Journals