Doppler ultrasound study and venous mapping in chronic venous insufficiency

Impact of statin treatment on patients diagnosed with chronic venous disease. Morphological analysis of the venous wall and clinical implications

OBJECTIVES

The study evaluates the potential morphological changes that may occur in the venous wall in the case of the patients with chronic venous disease which associates treatment with statins for at least 2 years.

METHODS

Operated patients with chronic venous disease in the CEAP C2-C3 stage were included in the study. 215 venous fragments, collected from 50 patients within the study group and 179 venous fragments collected from 52 patients within the control group were microscopically analysed, evaluating a series of morpho-anatomical parameters.

RESULTS

In the study group, it was found that, venous reflux predominantly affects small veins, and also, a significant increase in collagen deposits in the adventitia and media tunics, proportional to the thickening of the venous wall.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate possible effects of statins upon the venous morphology. Further studies are needed to determine the impact of these results on daily practice.

Serie interventional ultrasound: Ultrasound-guided interventional radiology procedures on veins

Although ultrasound-guided interventional procedures have resulted in great advances in many fields of medicine, this approach has revolutionized endovascular procedures. This paper aims to review the basic principles to develop a strategy to follow in ultrasound-guided treatments of varices in the lower limbs, as well as to provide a brief overview of the main endovenous techniques available nowadays. We divide these techniques into those that use catheters to occlude straight saphenous axes (thermal / non-thermal ablation) and other options, such as foam sclerotherapy, which can be used in all types of varices, even in those originating in the pelvis.