The utilisation of superficial venous surgery for chronic venous insufficiency by the U.K. Asian population

Risk Factors for and Treatment of Chronic Venous Disease in Thai Patients

Introduction

The prevalence of chronic venous disease (CVD), a common health care problem, is still underestimated. A few previous epidemiologic studies have report Asian patients with this condition in western countries, but not in Asian countries. The aim of this study was to determine risk factors for CVD and its treatment in Thai individuals.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, we collected data of patients with CVD visiting Chulabhorn Hospital Vascular Clinic from 1 December 2018–1 October 2021. We reviewed medical records for patient characteristics, comorbidities, Clinical, Etiology, Anatomy, Pathophysiology (CEAP) categories, Venous Clinical Severity Score (VCSS), ultrasound findings and treatment.

Results

The study cohort comprised 260 CVD patients with CVD of mean age 61.92 ± 12.82 years. Almost 80% of participants were female. A history of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) was the strongest risk factor for severe CVD. Other identified risk factors comprised body–mass index (BMI) >30 kg/m², and older age. The most common CEAP categories were C2 (39%) and C1 (33.8%). Superficial venous reflux was the most common location of venous reflux in this study, 67.32% of participants having great saphenous vein reflux and 16.99% small saphenous vein reflux. Only 4.76% of our cohort had both reflux and obstruction. Most of the participants had undergone compression therapy, approximately half of them complying well with wearing of stockings. Nineteen percent of our cohort had undergone sclerotherapy and 14% surgery, which comprised radiofrequency ablation in 97% of them.

Conclusion

The major risk factors for severe CVD identified in this study were deep vein thrombosis, body mass index>30 kg/m² and older age. The most common CEAP category was C2 (39%). GSV was the most commonly involved venous system. Involvement of numerous venous systems was a risk factor for severe CVD.

Endovenous cyanoacrylate ablation for chronic venous insufficiency and varicose veins among Asians

Introduction: Endovenous cyanoacrylate glue (CAG) ablation for the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) and varicose veins has shown non-inferior outcomes with an excellent safety profile, high patient satisfaction rate, and excellent efficacy when compared to the gold standard of endothermal ablation. A review of the current literature for CAG use in CVI showed that most studies and longer-term data are from Caucasian-based populations, which are subject to different anatomical venous variations and socio-economical contexts. This review aimed to gather the current evidence for CAG use in Asian CVI patients. Methods: Asian studies for the use of CAG in CVI were included in this review. Successful ablation rates, quality of life improvement and novel complications such as glue hypersensitivity reactions are described, along with anatomical descriptions of superficial venous anatomy in study patients. Use of CAG in Singapore and Asia was addressed. Results: CAG has been gaining traction as an option for CVI treatment in Asians. In Singapore, it has been adopted with comparable low complication rates and significant improvement of quality of life after treatment. As we increase our understanding of the variations in venous anatomy in the Asian population, new techniques such as retrograde deployment of the device and use of CAG ablation for venous leg ulcers have been developed. Conclusion: Further robust evidence in terms of large randomised control trials along with costeffectiveness studies are needed to determine the true value of CAG ablation in the Asian setting.

A comparison between Caucasian and Asian superficial venous anatomy and reflux patterns – Implications for potential precision endovenous ablation therapy

Objectives

The aim of this study is to investigate whether there are differences between predominantly Caucasians and Asians from two disparate cohorts around the globe, with regard to their pre-operative venous reflux patterns and truncal vein characteristics, which could potentially help clinicians tailor venous treatment for chronic venous insufficiency on a more individualised basis in different parts of the world.

Methods

A total of 200 lower limb chronic venous insufficiency duplex studies (127 Singaporean (predominantly Asian) patients) and 200 lower limb chronic venous insufficiency duplex scans (137 Americans predominantly Caucasians) were analysed and compared for differences in venous anatomy and reflux characteristics.

Results

Asian patients from Singapore presented with higher CEAP scores compared to the predominantly Caucasian cohort from the US (30% CEAP 4a or greater vs. 17.5%; p < 0.01). Singaporeans had more great saphenous vein reflux starting at the sapheno-femoral junction (86% vs. 73%; p < 0.01) and ending at the ankle (93% vs. 46%; p < 0.01). Vein diameters were generally larger in the US cohort of patients (median 5.7 mm vs. 2.9 mm; p < 0.01).

Conclusions

The predominantly Asian cohort from Singapore had smaller diameter truncal veins, longer segments of truncal vein reflux and present later with more advanced chronic venous insufficiency compared to their American counterparts. This information could help tailor endovenous ablation on a more individualised basis in the future.

Venous ultrasonography findings and clinical correlations in 104 Thai patients with chronic venous insufficiency of the legs

INTRODUCTION

The pattern of venous reflux in Thai patients with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) was studied in correlation with clinical manifestations.

METHODS

Ultrasonography findings and clinical data were prospectively collected and retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS

CVI was found in 104 legs of 79 patients (mean age 59.8 ± 12.5 years; C4: 24.1%, C5: 8.9%, C6: 67.1%). 6.7% of the legs had a history of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The prevalence of superficial vein reflux (SVR), deep vein reflux (DVR), and combined SVR and DVR in 90 legs without previous venous surgery was 82.2%, 63.3% and 57.8%, respectively. In legs with SVR, the prevalence of great saphenous vein reflux (GSVR), small saphenous vein reflux (SSVR), and combined GSVR and SSVR was 91.9%, 33.8% and 25.7%, respectively. 77.0% of SVR involved the calf segment. For medial ulceration, 79.6% had GSVR and 35.2% had SSVR. For lateral ulceration, 46.7% had SSVR and 33.3% had isolated GSVR. Pulsatile venous signal was found in 3.3% of legs. In 17 legs with ulceration after previous surgical treatment, calf vein reflux (residual calf great saphenous vein or small saphenous vein) was found in 13 (76.5%) legs.

CONCLUSION

Calf vein reflux plays an important role in CVI and in patients with recurrent ulceration after previous superficial venous surgery. Although GSVR was present in most patients with CVI in the legs, SSVR may present in one-third of patients, especially those with lateral ulceration. The high prevalence of DVR in the absence of DVT and the presence of a pulsatile venous signal in some patients highlight the incomplete understanding of CVI aetiology.

Measurements of calf muscle oxygenation during standing and exercise in patients with primary valvular insufficiency

OBJECTIVE

Despite the established role of the calf muscle pump for preventing chronic venous disorders, hemoglobin flow in the calf muscle is poorly understood. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) provides continuous noninvasive monitoring of changes in tissue-oxygenated hemoglobin (O2Hb) and deoxygenated hemoglobin (HHb) levels. The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in calf muscle O2Hb and HHb levels during standing and exercise in patients with primary valvular insufficiency (PVI).

METHODS

Eighty-three limbs in 81 patients with PVI were enrolled. The clinical manifestations of these patients were categorized according to the CEAP (Clinical, Etiologic, Anatomical, and Pathophysiologic) classification, and patients were divided into group I (C1-3S,Ep,As,d,p,Pr) and group II (C4-6S,Ep,As,d,p,Pr). Moreover, to assess the severity of PVI, the revised Venous Clinical Severity Score (VCSS) was employed. NIRS was used to measure changes in the calf muscle O2Hb and HHb levels. On standing, increases in O2Hb and HHb were calculated by subtracting the baseline value from the maximum value (ΔO2Hbst and ΔHHbst). The time elapsed until the maximum increases in O2Hb and HHb concentrations (TO2Hbst, and THHbst) were also measured. During 10 tiptoe movements, the relative change in O2Hb was calculated by subtracting the value measured at the end of exercise from the value measured at the beginning of exercise (ΔO2Hbex). On the other hand, 10 tiptoe movements produced venous expulsion (ΔHHbEex) and a subsequent retention (ΔHHbRex). The oxygenation index (HbD; HbD = O2Hb - HHb) was also calculated at the end of standing and 10 tiptoe movements (ΔHbDst and ΔHbDex).

RESULTS

Among the 83 limbs evaluated, 48 were classified as group I and 35 as group II. Standing caused increases in the levels of both ΔO2Hbst and ΔHHbst. However, there were no significant differences in these increases between the two groups. In contrast, the TO2Hbst was significantly reduced in group II in comparison with group I (55 ± 29 vs 36 ± 30 seconds; P = .007). During 10 tiptoe movements, a decrease in O2Hb concentration was observed, and there was no significant difference in ΔO2Hbex between group I and group II. In contrast, the ΔHHbRex was significantly increased in group II compared with group I (6 ± 7 vs 9 ± 6 μmol/L; P = .013). Furthermore, falls in ΔHbDex were more pronounced in group II (7 ± 16 vs -7 ± 16 μmol/L; P = .001). A statistically significant correlation was found between C of CEAP and the VCSS (r = 0.778; P < .001). Moreover, NIRS-derived TO2Hbst (r = -0.312; P < .01) and ΔHbDex (r = -0.332; P < .01) showed moderate inverse correlations with C of CEAP. Similarly, NIRS-derived ΔHbDex (r = -0.501; P < .001) had a strong inverse correlation, and ΔHbDst (r = -0.383; P < .001) and TO2Hbst (r = -0.378; P < .001) had moderate inverse correlations with VCSS.

CONCLUSIONS

Changes in O2Hb and HHb concentrations differ according to CEAP manifestation and VCSS. These data offer new insights into calf muscle hemodynamics at the microcirculation level in patients with PVI.

Superficial Venous Pathology in the Asian Population of South West London – A Prospective Study

OBJECTIVES

The Asian population of our hospital catchment area represents 6.2% of the total, which is 3.2% higher than the national average, compared to the Caucasian population which comprises 70.2% and is 21.9% lower than the national average. This study aimed to analyse the prevalence and presentation of superficial venous disease (SVD) in the Asian population of South West London.

METHODS

A prospectively gathered database of all 481 patients referred by local general practitioners (GP) to the varicose veins nurse specialist over a 24 month period was analyzed. Information was collected on demographics, presenting features, clinical signs, and whether surgical referral was made.

RESULTS

Asians presented significantly younger than Caucasians (p<0.0001; unpaired t-test). Caucasians had a significantly higher positive family history than Asians (p<or=0.05; chi-squared test). SVD severity was graded using the CEAP (clinical, etiological, anatomical, pathophysiological) classification. Asians had significantly more severe disease than Caucasians (p<or=0.01; chi-squared test). There were no differences in sex distribution.

CONCLUSION

Asians presented younger with more severe disease than their Caucasian counterparts. The reasons for these findings are unclear, but probably represent a combination of genetic, environmental and social factors. Further research is in progress to investigate this.

Chronic venous disease in a cohort of healthy UK Asian men

OBJECTIVES

This group has previously reported that UK Asians are significantly less likely to undergo surgery for lower limb venous disease than age and sex matched Caucasians. The aim of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of lower limb chronic venous disease (CVD) in the UK Asian male population.

DESIGN

A prospective, epidemiological survey.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

100 unselected Asian men attending a local Mosque were assessed for the evidence of lower limb CVD, involving the collection of data on history and clinical signs and objective assessments of venous pathophysiology using lower limb venous ultrasonography and venous photoplethysmography (PPG).

RESULTS

On clinical examination, 80 limbs (in 50 subjects) had clinical evidence of CVD, the majority of cases consisting of varicose veins (CEAP C2). No limbs had either healed or active ulceration (C5/6), and only 2 limbs had thread veins (C1). Eight subjects had had previous venous surgery. The venous refill time (vRT) measured by PPG was lower in limbs with CVD. On venous ultrasound, reflux was present in 73/200 limbs, affecting primarily the GSV system, with only 7 limbs having deep venous reflux.

CONCLUSIONS

Present data strongly suggest that the low rates of superficial venous surgery in UK Asians is not because they are inherently less likely to develop CVD.