Administration of Micronized Purified Flavonoid Fraction During Sclerotherapy of Reticular Veins and Telangiectasias: Results of the National, Multicenter, Observational Program VEIN ACT PROLONGED-C1

Micronized purified flavonoid fraction-based conservative treatment of chronic venous disease in a real-world setting

Aims: To investigate the effectiveness and tolerability of adjunctive micronized purified flavonoid fraction (MPFF) in patients with chronic venous disease (CVD). Patients & methods: This observational study included adults (≥18 years) with clinical-etiology-anatomy-pathophysiology (CEAP) class C4 CVD for whom MPFF was indicated. Outcomes included changes in subcutaneous adipose thickness, venous clinical severity score, CVD symptoms (using a visual analogue scale) and tolerability. Results: Of 381 patients, 365 completed the study. After 6 months, subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness, venous clinical severity score and visual analogue scale scores significantly improved (all p < 0.001 vs baseline). No adverse drug reactions occurred. Conclusion: Adjunctive MPFF treatment improves skin and subcutaneous tissue conditions in CVD patients. Clinical Trial Registration: NCT04138576 (ClinicalTrials.gov).

The effectiveness of different treatment methods in isolated telangiectasia and reticular vein treatment: A single-center prospective randomized study

BACKGROUND

There are opinions that telangiectasis and reticular veins are asymptomatic and constitute a cosmetic problem only. However, it has been proven that telangiectasis and reticular veins also affect the quality of life and are symptomatic.

METHODS

Ninety consecutive female patients who were admitted to our outpatient clinic and did not have insufficiency in deep, superficial and perforating veins were included in this study. All participants were divided into three groups as the compression group (Group 1), medical treatment group (Group 2), and sclerotherapy group (Group 3). The initial complaint severities of all patients were noted. Except for patient compliance assessment, baseline, 1st month (T1), 3rd month (T2) and 6th month (T3) evaluation records were kept in all three groups.

RESULTS

The study began with a total of 90 patients, 30 patients in each group. The mean ages of Groups 1, 2 and 3 were 39.73 ± 8.51 years, 39.30 ± 8.67 years, and 40.77 ± 9.45 years, respectively. The rates of decrease in pain, itching, restless leg, and muscle cramps were similar among the patient groups at all times (P > 0.05). The rate of reduction in swelling was similar between the groups at T1 and T2 (P > 0.05), while there was a significant difference between the groups at T3 (P = 0.009). The groups significantly differed in terms of appearance concern at all times (P = 0.002 for T1, P < 0.001 for T2 and T3).

CONCLUSION

We showed that symptoms such as swelling and heaviness in leg can be improved with medical treatment, but the patient's cosmetic satisfaction can increase with sclerotherapy.

Management of Lower Extremity Pain from Chronic Venous Insufficiency: A Comprehensive Review

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Chronic venous insufficiency is found to some extent in a large proportion of the world's population, especially in the elderly and obese. Despite its prevalence, little research has been pursued into this pathology when compared to similarly common conditions. Pain is often the presenting symptom of chronic venous insufficiency and has significant deleterious effects on quality of life. This manuscript will describe the development of pain in chronic venous insufficiency, and will also review both traditional methods of pain management and novel advances in both medical and surgical therapy for this disease.

RECENT FINDINGS

Pain in chronic venous insufficiency is a common complication which remains poorly correlated in recent studies with the clinically observable extent of disease. Although lifestyle modification remains the foundation of treatment for pain associated with chronic venous sufficiency, compression devices and various pharmacologic agents have emerged as safe and effective treatments for pain in these patients. In patients for whom these measures are insufficient, recently developed minimally invasive vascular surgical techniques have been shown to reduce postsurgical complications and recovery time, although additional research is necessary to characterize long-term outcomes of these procedures. This review discusses the latest findings concerning the pathophysiology of pain in chronic venous insufficiency, conservative and medical management, and surgical strategies for pain relief, including minimally invasive treatment strategies.

Micronized purified flavonoid fraction for the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency, with a focus on postthrombotic syndrome: A narrative review

INTRODUCTION

Postthrombotic syndrome (PTS) is a form of secondary chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) that occurs after deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Effective treatments for PTS are lacking. Micronized purified flavonoid fraction (MPFF) is a venoactive drug used in the treatment of CVI.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether MPFF is a good candidate to explore as a therapeutic agent for PTS.

METHODS

We performed a narrative review in which we identified 14 systematic reviews, 33 randomized controlled trials, and 19 observational studies that discussed the use of MPFF in CVI, as well as studies that reported on the mechanistic action of MPFF in relation to the pathophysiology of PTS.

RESULTS

MPFF targets a number of pathophysiologic components of PTS. Based on animal models and human studies investigating objective vascular and lymphatic measures, MPFF promotes venous recanalization after DVT, decreases venous remodeling and reflux, inhibits inflammatory processes, improves venous tone and stasis, improves lymphatic circulation, improves capillary hyperpermeability, and decreases tissue hypoxia. Furthermore, MPFF shows promise in improving clinical manifestations, quality of life, and objective venous parameters of CVI. Studies suggest good patient acceptability and tolerability with the use of MPFF in CVI.

CONCLUSION

MPFF is a good candidate to explore as a potential therapy for PTS. Confirmatory high-quality studies are still needed to reinforce the evidence supporting the use of MPFF in CVI. Double-blind randomized controlled trials with clinical endpoints are needed to assess the clinical efficacy of MPFF in the treatment of PTS.

Efficacy of Micronized Purified Flavonoid Fraction-Based Venoactive Therapy After Endovenous Mechanochemical Obliteration: Prospective Comparative Study

Background

Endovenous interventions and minimally invasive open procedures are effective in the management of varicose veins, but can result in post-operative pain/discomfort.

Objective

The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of micronized purified flavonoid fraction venoactive therapy for postoperative pain, vein-specific symptoms, and quality of life in patients with varicose veins following an endovenous mechanochemical ablation procedure.

Methods

This prospective, observational, single-center study allocated patients into two groups: Group A, micronized purified flavonoid fraction 1000 mg once daily for 30 days; Group B, no venoactive drug prescribed (control). The Clinical-Etiology-Anatomy-Pathophysiology classification system for chronic venous disorders was used to assess varicose veins; a 10-point Visual Analog Scale assessed pain syndrome intensity; the Venous Clinical Severity Score measured overall varicose vein severity; and the Chronic Venous Insufficiency QoL Questionnaire measured total quality of life.

Results

The study enrolled 58 patients (mean age 36.9 ± 4.1 years; 24 men) with varicose veins of C2–C4 who underwent truncal mechanochemical ablation plus mini-phlebectomy or foam sclerotherapy. Group A had significantly lower pain syndrome at days 14 and 30 compared with Group B (1.76 vs 2.20, p = 0.039; 1.38 vs 2.07, p = 0.003, respectively), and clinical symptom severity at day 30 (2.67 vs 3.13, p = 0.05). Significant differences in quality-of-life scores existed between groups at days 14 and 30 (15.21 vs 18.75, p = 0.008; 12.98 vs 16.33, p = 0.001). No micronized, purified flavonoid, fraction-related adverse effects were observed.

Conclusions

Micronized purified flavonoid fraction-based venoactive adjuvant therapy after mechanochemical ablation alleviated pain, reduced the severity of symptoms, and improved the quality of life in patients with varicose veins.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40801-021-00249-4.

Prospective comparative study evaluating the role of flavonoids after endovenous thermal ablation

OBJECTIVES

The aim of our study was to evaluate the role of flavonoids in the improvement of post-operative symptoms after endovenous thermal ablation (EVTA).

METHODS

A prospective comparative study of 120 consecutive patients undergoing EVTA of the greater saphenous vein associated with phlebectomies was undertaken. Patients were grouped in those receiving micronized purified flavonoid fraction (MPFF- 60 patients) agent 500 mg Bid 7 days pre- and 30 days post- operatively (MPFF group) and those in the control group (60 patients) who did not. Demographics, intra-operative details, Clinical -Etiology- Anatomy- Pathophysiology (CEAP) clinical class, 10-cm Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain, Venous Clinical Severity Score (VCSS) and Chronic Venous Insufficiency Quality-of-Life Questionnaire (CΙVIQ-20) were recorded. Primary outcome was the postoperative pain assessement using the VAS scale and CIVIQ pain score. Secondary outcomes included assessement of VCSS and CΙVIQ-20 scores.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences between the groups regarding demographics, clinical and procedural characteristics. Patients in MPFF group reported significantly lower VAS pain levels than control group at 7- (-3.6 ± 1.2 vs -2.7 ± 1.9, p < .0001) and 30- post-operative day (-4.9 ± 0.1 vs -4.2 ± 1, p < .0001). MPFF group also showed better outcome in terms of CIVIQ pain score at 7- (-3.7 ± 1.3 vs -3.5 ± 1.8, p = .008) and 30- post-operative day (-5.3. ± 1.1 vs -4.4 ± 1, p = .017). Both groups showed a significant improvement in VAS pain score (p = .047), global CIVIQ-20 (p = .009) and VCSS (p = .008) at 7- and 30-days post-operatively.

CONCLUSIONS

Administration of flavonoids in patients undergoing EVTA associated with phlebectomies reduces pain by a small amount during early postoperative period.

Improvement in quality of life with treatment of chronic venous disease: A longitudinal observational study in Kandy, Sri Lanka

OBJECTIVE

This study assessed the improvement in Quality of Life (QoL) of Chronic Venous Disease (CVD) patients in Sri Lanka following treatment.

METHODS

This was a prospective observational study of 58 newly or previously diagnosed CVD patients. QoL was assessed by the 14-item ChronIc Venous dIsease quality of life Questionnaire (CIVIQ-14) at 4 and 8 weeks after treatment.

RESULTS

At 8 weeks, the improvement in Global score from baseline was greatest in the surgical group with adjusted least squares mean of 23.5 (p < 0.001) followed by the non-surgical group at 13.3 (p < 0.001). There was no significant improvement in the no-treatment group at 0.333 (p = 0.950). Similar results were obtained for Pain and Physical domain scores at 8 weeks. Likewise, at 4 weeks, Global score and Pain and Physical domain scores showed significant improvement in the surgical and non-surgical groups (all p < 0.001) only.

CONCLUSION

Both surgical and non-surgical treatments improved QoL of CVD patients.

The Benefits of Micronized Purified Flavonoid Fraction (MPFF) Throughout the Progression of Chronic Venous Disease

At the 2019 European Venous Forum in Zurich Switzerland, a symposium entitled "State of the art: benefits of MPFF throughout CVD progression" was held to discuss the developing treatment strategies for patients at all stages of chronic venous disease (CVD). At the early stages of CVD, management should be focused on preventing disease progression through lifestyle changes and conservative treatment; treatment can also include venoactive drugs (VAD) such as micronized purified flavonoid fraction (MPFF; Daflon®), which is the most well-known and most widely prescribed VAD in Europe. As the disease progresses, patients who require interventional procedures (e.g., endovenous procedure or sclerotherapy) can also benefit from MPFF treatment in the recovery period after the procedure, as MPFF has been shown to reduce periprocedural pain and bleeding (hematoma), and to improve CVD symptoms during this period. Management of CVD in patients with venous leg ulcers (VLU) is the most challenging; in these patients, recommended adjunct therapies to be combined with standard compression therapy include VAD (MPFF) and non-VAD drugs (pentoxifylline and sulodexide) which have been shown to speed VLU healing in comparison with compression therapy alone.

Early Stages of Chronic Venous Disease: Medical Treatment Alone or in Addition to Endovenous Treatments

Chronic venous disease (CVD) is one of the most prevalent diseases worldwide. The health condition of most patients with early stage CVD will worsen over time, and this progression increases the burden as well as the costs of treatment and reduces patient quality of life (QoL). This highlights the importance and the likely cost-effectiveness of treatment of patients with early stage CVD. Options for managing the early stages of CVD include lifestyle changes together with venoactive drugs (VAD); VADs may be used alone or in conjunction with interventional treatment of varices such as sclerotherapy, surgery, or endovenous treatments. Micronized purified flavonoid fraction (MPFF; Daflon^®) is a well-studied VAD which has anti-inflammatory activities, reduces endothelial activation and leukocyte adhesion, and increases capillary resistance and integrity, to eventually improve venous tone, CVD symptoms and QoL. This article is based on previously conducted studies and does not contain any studies with human participants or animals performed by the author.

[Local drugs in treating and decreasing the incidence of adverse reactions after sclerotherapy of telangiectasia]

AIM

The purpose of the study was to assess efficacy and safety of heparin sodium gel 1000 IU/g and Detragel® in decreasing the incidence and treatment of the most common local adverse reactions in patients after endured sclerotherapy of reticular veins and telangiectasias.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Our open prospective observational study included a total of sixty 18-to-35-year-old female patients who after undergoing standardized sclerotherapy of reticular veins and telangiectasias on symmetrical portions of lower limbs were given a tube of heparin sodium gel 1000 IU/g or Detragel® to be applied onto the skin of one (left) lower limb in the projection of the sclerotherapy-exposed vessels 2-3 times daily for 10 days followed by putting on a compression class 2 (RAL standard) stocking. The women were allowed to use only the paired stocking on the contralateral extremity. Efficacy and safety of heparin sodium gel 1000 IU/g and Detragel® were evaluated based on the incidence of typical adverse reactions (ecchymoses, phlebitides, hyperpigmentation and neovasculogenesis), as well as on the patient's subjective perceptions.

RESULTS

The use of heparin sodium gel 1000 IU/g and Detragel® in addition to compression after sclerotherapy of reticular veins and telangiectasias significantly and comparably decreased the incidence and accelerated the resolution of ecchymoses and phlebitides associated with phlebosclerosing treatment. The Detragel® group patients were found to develop hyperpigmentation or neovasculogenesis significantly less often as compared with the heparin sodium gel 1000 IU/g group women. What is more, using Detragel® was not accompanied by hyperkeratosis, pruritus or formation of a sticky film, the events, however, observed while applying heparin sodium gel 1000 IU/g.

CONCLUSION

The use of Detragel® or heparin sodium gel 1000 IU/g for 10 days additionally to compression significantly decreased the incidence of typical undesirable reactions associated with sclerotherapy of reticular veins and telangiectasias. The Detragel® group women turned out to have lower incidence of hyperpigmentation and neovasculogenesis. Besides, Detragel® demonstrated better organoleptic properties.

Benefits of venoactive drug therapy in surgical or endovenous treatment for varicose veins: a systematic review

INTRODUCTION

Lower limb varicose veins can be treated effectively with endovenous ablation procedures or with minimally invasive open techniques. However, these procedures may cause pain and discomfort, and surgical stripping can be associated with long recovery times. We investigated whether venoactive drugs (VAD) used to treat chronic venous disease (CVD), provide benefits to patients recovering from a surgical or endovenous varicose vein procedure.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

We conducted a systematic review of the literature to identify clinical trials investigating VAD therapy before, during, or after a surgical, endovenous, or sclerotherapy procedure for varicose veins. Records retrieved from the PubMed and Embase databases were screened for relevant studies. Full-length articles in English were obtained for analysis.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

We identified five clinical trials investigating the effects of VAD on recovery after surgery, endovenous ablation, or sclerotherapy. Studies were conducted in Russia, Italy, and Czech Republic and varied considerably in design, but all were unblinded open-label studies. All studies reported the use of micronized purified flavonoid fraction (MPFF); in one study, sulodexide was also used. Three studies reported significantly less post-procedural pain with MPFF treatment, with one reporting no significant effect. Two studies reported significant reductions in post-procedural bleeding with MPFF treatment. Three out of four studies reported greater symptomatic improvement with MPFF treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Appropriate treatment with MPFF may help reduce post-procedural pain, hemorrhage, and CVD-specific symptoms. While adjunct VAD treatment seems promising, high-quality placebo-controlled studies are needed to unequivocally demonstrate its benefits.

[Perioperative administration of micronized purified flavonoid fraction in endovascular treatment of varicose disease]

AIM

The study was aimed at assessing efficacy and safety of using a micronized purified flavonoid fraction in the perioperative period in patients scheduled for endovascular surgical intervention for CEAP clinical class C2 lower limb varicose veins.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This study enrolled a total of 1519 patients with CEAP C2a,sEpAs (primary varicose vein with valvular incompetence of the great and/or small saphenous vein) who were subdivided into two groups. Group One included 1039 patients who in the perioperative period were prescribed a micronized purified flavonoid fraction at a daily dose of 1000 mg and who continued therapy, including visit 4. Group Two was composed of 480 patients taking no venoactive agents. The main criterion for assessing efficacy of the micronized purified flavonoid fraction was the incidence rate of typical adverse events in the compared groups of patients after surgical intervention.

RESULTS

The patients receiving the micronized purified flavonoid fraction were found to have adverse events significantly less often as compared with those in the control group: ecchymosis 7.1 versus 11.0% (p=0.01), haematoma 0.5 vs 1.3% (p=0.1), paresthesia 0.5 vs 1.7% (p=0.02), thrombophlebitis 0.2 vs 0.6% (p=0.2), pigmentation 0.6 vs 3.3% (p=0.001), heat-induced thrombosis 0.3 vs 1.3% (p=0.02). The total incidence rate of adverse events in patients receiving and those not receiving the micronized purified flavonoid fraction amounted to 7.6 vs 15.0%, respectively (<0.001).

DISCUSSION

The micronized purified flavonoid fraction prescribed in the perioperative period, owing to a pluripotent mechanism, adapts the venous system and microcirculatory bed of the lower extremities to operative stress, decreasing the anti-inflammatory response to endovascular intervention, lowering thereby the incidence of undesirable events.

CONCLUSION

Prescription of the micronized purified flavonoid fraction in the perioperative period ensures a significant decrease in the incidence of typical adverse events developing after endovascular surgical treatment for CEAP clinical class C2 varicose veins and may be recommended for real clinical practice.