Pulmonary embolism after endovenous thermal ablation of the saphenous vein

Outcomes of a Single-center Experience In Eliminating Routine Postoperative Duplex Ultrasound Following Endovenous Ablation

OBJECTIVES

The current guidelines recommend routine postoperative screening duplex ultrasound (DUS) after endovenous ablation (EVA). This is a grade 2C recommendation and several contemporary reports have called for revision of this recommendation as there is insufficient evidence to support universal screening DUS after EVA. There are currently no studies that evaluate outcomes among EVA patients who did not have screening DUS. The aim of our study is to present outcomes from our single-center experience among patients who did not have DUS routinely performed after EVA.

METHODS

We performed a single-center, prospective cohort study that included consecutive patients undergoing EVA of the great saphenous vein at our institution between September 30, 2021 and March 15, 2022. At 30 days post procedure, electronic medical records were queried to identify patients who may have presented for evaluation of VTE symptoms.

RESULTS

Over the study period, a total of 80 lower extremity EVA procedures (71 EVLT, 9 RFA) were performed among 76 patients. Postoperative DUS was performed on 24 patients of which none were identified as having EHIT. Of the 54 patients who did not have DUS, a 30-day post procedure chart review revealed that none of these patients were seen for symptoms of venous thromboembolism (VTE). We estimate total cost savings of $14,289 by eliminating routine DUS without impact to clinical outcomes following EVA.

CONCLUSION

Postoperative DUS assessment after EVA comes with associated healthcare cost and has low yield given the incidence of clinically significant EHIT (3 and 4) is rare. In our experience, eliminating routine DUS had no impact on clinical outcomes, improved vascular lab access, and had a positive financial impact in our organization. Limiting DUS screening to EVA patients who exhibit symptoms of VTE can be a cost-effective approach that limits unnecessary imaging, time, and resources with no potential change in clinical outcomes based on our data. Further research is required and a randomized controlled trial would be ideal to answer this question.

Treatment of Varicose Veins Affects the Incidences of Venous Thromboembolism and Peripheral Artery Disease

[Figure: see text].

The proximity of the superficial epigastric vein to the saphenofemoral junction is associated with endovenous heat-induced thrombosis after radiofrequency ablation for varicose veins

OBJECTIVE

To elucidate the risk factors of endovenous heat-induced thrombosis (EHIT) after radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for varicose veins in association with the superficial epigastric vein (SEV) position to the saphenofemoral junction (SFJ).

METHODS

We examined 125 legs from 218 patients (mean age, 67 years; 80 female legs) with great saphenous veins (GSVs) in association with the SEV proximity to the SFJ using the duplex ultrasound test. According to the Clinical, Etiology, Anatomy and Pathophysiology classification (CEAP; C1-C6), there were 62, 38, and 25 legs in the C2, C3, and C4-C6 categories, respectively. The postoperative duplex ultrasound tests, focused on EHIT, were conducted on days 1, 7, 30, and 90 after RFA. The EHIT analysis was based on Kabnick's classification (class 1-4). We compared the GSV diameter and the SEV-SFJ distance between the EHIT positive (n = 32) and negative groups (n = 93) using the Student t-test. The risk factors (age >75, male sex, ≥C3 classification, adjunctive phlebectomy, prior venous surgery history, GSV diameter of >7.5 mm, and short SEV-SFJ distance [<4 mm]) were examined using univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS

The EHIT ratio after RFA was 25.6% (24, five, three, and no legs in classes 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively). In the EHIT positive group, the mean GSV diameter and the SEV-SFJ distance were larger (8.0 ± 2.3 vs 6.4 ± 2.0 mm; P < .001) and shorter (5.2 ± 4.0 vs 6.8 ± 3.7 mm; P = .05) than the negative group. Using univariate analysis, the risk factors of EHIT after RFA were as follows: ≥C3 classification (odds ratio [OR], 4.15; P = .002), GSV diameter >7.5 mm (OR, 3.50; P = .003), and short SEV-SFJ distance (OR, 2.92; P = .01). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that a classification of ≥C3 (OR, 3.39; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.30-8.86; P = .013), GSV of >7.5 mm (OR, 3.32; 95% CI, 1.33-8.25; P = .010), and short SEV-SFJ distance (OR, 2.71; 95% CI, 1.09-6.71; P = .032) were also significant risk factors.

CONCLUSIONS

RFA treatment for patients with varicose veins should be considered postoperatively in combination with a classification of ≥C3, GSV diameter of >7.5 mm, and a history of deep venous thrombosis and concomitant procedures, because it is related with greater chances of EHIT development.

A successful surgical treatment of pulmonary thromboembolism after endovenous radiofrequency ablation with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation bridging

Pulmonary embolism after endovenous radiofrequency ablation is very rare, but a clinically severe complication. Herein, we report a case of pulmonary embolism after endovenous radiofrequency ablation. Early after radiofrequency ablation pulmonary embolism developed and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation implantation was performed. Under extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support, surgical pulmonary embolectomy was performed successfully using the same cannulas and the patient was discharged without any neurological sequelae. In conclusion, although rare after radiofrequency ablation, early recognition of pulmonary embolism and prompt treatment can be life-saving.

Endovenous Celon radiofrequency-induced thermal therapy of great saphenous vein: A retrospective study with a 3-year follow-up

Objective:

Our main objective was to evaluate the short- and long-term efficacy of Celon radiofrequency-induced thermal therapy for endovenous treatment of incompetent great saphenous vein. The secondary objectives were to report on possible short-term side effects and complications.

Methods:

This was a retrospective study of 112 consecutive patients included between 2013 and June 2015. These patients were treated (146 great saphenous vein, C2–C6) either at the hemodynamic room using local anesthesia or at the operating theater under general anesthesia with or without phlebectomy. All patients received radiofrequency-induced thermal therapy at 18 W power, 1 s/cm pullback rate and 5–7 pullbacks per segment of 10 cm (i.e. maximum 10 pullbacks). A clinical follow-up via ultrasound monitoring was done at 1 week, 1 month, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years and 3 years.

Results:

The 3-year survival occlusion rate was 96.71% and 98% for overall and radiofrequency-induced thermal therapy patients, respectively. No major side effects were observed. A case of endovenous heat-induced thrombosis was reported. Slight neurological disorders were reported (0.88%).

Conclusion:

Our unit’s endovenous Celon radiofrequency-induced thermal therapy of incompetent great saphenous vein was efficient, well tolerated, without major side effects. Moreover, in order to reduce possible neurological disorders, we advise multiple pullbacks at 1 s/cm and using tumescence anesthesia.

Risk of Pulmonary Embolism in Patients With Isolated Great Saphenous Vein Thrombus

Risks associated with isolated great saphenous vein (GSV) thrombosis remain controversial. The purpose of this study is to identify the risk of pulmonary embolism (PE) in patients with isolated GSV thrombosis, particularly those with thrombus within 3 cm of the sapheno-femoral junction. A retrospective chart review of color flow Doppler lower extremity venous ultrasound examinations from an academic hospital from 2011 to 2016 was conducted. Seventy-eight patients were identified as having acute thrombus in their GSV and were then further stratified based on the presence or absence of concomitant deep venous thrombosis (DVT). A control group of 49 patients who presented with leg swelling and were found to have a normal color flow Doppler examination was also identified. Patients without thrombus (n = 49), patients with isolated GSV thrombus (n = 29), and patients with GSV thrombus with concomitant DVT (n = 49) underwent full chart review to determine whether any patients developed PE. This was diagnosed specifically by computed tomography angiogram or ventilation/perfusion scan, within 60 days of initial diagnosis of lower extremity thrombus. In our analysis, there was no significant difference in the risk of PE in patients with isolated GSV thrombus compared with a control group of normal patients (3.5% vs 2.0%, P = 0.38). However, patients with GSV thrombus and concomitant DVT had a significantly increased risk of PE compared with patients with isolated GSV thrombus (26.5% vs 3.5%, P = 0.01). We found that the risk of PE in patients with isolated GSV thrombus is not significantly increased compared with a normal cohort.

Fatal pulmonary embolism following ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy combined with multiple microphlebectomies

Ambulatory ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy (UGFS) for refluxing saphenous veins is considered a safe therapy. Venous thromboembolic complications after UGFS as well as after all other ambulatory ablative venous interventions are rarely reported. This paper reports a fatal pulmonary embolism (PE) following UGFS in combination with an extended phlebectomy, and questions what measures should be taken to minimize the risk for thromboembolic complications after these procedures. In the reported case (unsuspected), extensive non-occluding atherosclerosis as well as obesity in combination with use of an oral contraceptive might have contributed to the development of the PE while the use of a β-blocker might have increased its fatal course considerably. Routine measurement of the ankle-brachial pressure index reduces the risk for undetected atherosclerosis. It appears that ‘in the real world’ of ambulatory phlebological treatments thromboembolic complications are more common (2.4–4.7%) and appear accompanied by post-procedural mortality. It is concluded therefore that pharmacological thromboprophylaxis appears warranted in selected cases, perhaps even routine application could be considered. Attention is drawn to the highly thrombogenic but not uncommon combination of overweight and use of oral contraceptive. Apart from applying some form of pharmacological thromboprophylaxis, technical adaptations that might prevent or reduce spill over of foam into the deep venous system should be considered. Firstly, next to adherence to the generally accepted maximum of 10 mL of foam per session, it seems prudent to maximize the injected volume of foam per site. Secondly, it seems best to inject the foam in an elevated leg without groin compression. The concentration of the sclerosant does not appear decisive in this respect, although higher concentrations appear more effective and therefore might be injected in lower volumes without compromising efficacy.

Trombose induzida pelo calor endovenoso: relato de dois casos tratados com rivaroxabana e revisão da literatura

Define-se trombose induzida pelo calor endovenoso como a propagação do trombo a partir de uma veia superficial em direção a uma veia mais profunda. Em geral, é considerada clinicamente insignificante quando não há propagação do trombo para o sistema venoso profundo. Essa condição pode ser tratada com terapia anticoagulante, embora a observação pareça ser suficiente, principalmente para graus menores. Neste estudo, relatamos dois casos de trombose induzida pelo calor endovenoso que teriam indicação de heparina de baixo peso molecular até a resolução do quadro. Porém, optou-se pelo uso da rivaroxabana (15 mg de 12 em 12h), com resolução completa do trombo em 4 semanas (caso 1) e em 7 dias (caso 2). A rivaroxabana pode ser uma alternativa promissora no tratamento da trombose induzida pelo calor endovenoso avançada, pela simplicidade da posologia, sem comprometimento da eficácia ou da segurança. São necessários estudos prospectivos, randomizados e controlados que possibilitem melhor entendimento da condição e o desenvolvimento de recomendações mais definitivas sobre opções de prevenção e tratamento.

Radiofrequency ablation of varicose veins: Best practice techniques and evidence

Scope of the review

This article systematically reviews the practice of radiofrequency ablation of lower limb varicose veins. We present the clinical evidence and best practice techniques for currently available devices.

Methods

Manufacturer’s instructions-for-use were requested for all radiofrequency devices. The MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched using the following keywords: ‘varicose veins’ AND ‘radiofrequency’ OR ‘radio frequency’ OR ‘Venefit’ OR ‘ClosureFAST’ OR ‘RFiTT’ OR ‘EVRF’ OR ‘VeinCLEAR’, generating 240 articles. Titles and abstracts were screened, yielding 63 articles directly relevant to the scope of the review. Reference lists for publications were also searched to identify further manuscripts of relevance. The Cochrane Database and current National Institute for Clinical and Healthcare Excellence guidelines for varicose veins were also searched from relevant articles.

Results

Four radiofrequency ablation (RFA) systems are currently commercially available. Generic practice methods (common to all RF systems) and device-specific techniques are described. The weight of current evidence relates to the use of Covidien Venefit™ (formerly VNUS ClosureFAST™), which clearly demonstrates clinical advantages over open surgery at least to 2 years follow up. However, contemporary studies of the radiofrequency-induced thermal therapy device (RFiTT®), show that in experienced hands, clinical equivalence to the Venefit™ procedure can be achieved. The evidence base for EVRF® and VeinCLEAR™ devices is currently weak and absent, respectively.

Conclusions

Despite widespread uptake of RFA and acceptance of its clinical advantages over open surgery there is a paucity of Class 1 A evidence. This results from incongruent reporting of clinical outcome measures within existing literature. Similarly, lack of long-term follow-up studies precludes comparison of the durability of short- and medium-term advantages of RFA with the longer term results of open surgery. There remains scope for a large prospective high-quality trial to assess the clinical, anatomical and cost-effectiveness outcomes for the four commercially available RFA devices, with a particular focus on long-term follow up.

[Fatal outcome of bilateral pulmonary embolism combined with ascending varicophlebitis of the lower limb: case report]

The authors review the history and risk factors of thrombophlebitis of the lower limb, and describe the main points of surgical and conservative treatment of varicophlebitis. They present the case of a 71-year-old woman who had ascending varicophlebitis and bilateral pulmonary embolism. The authors draw attention to important points: patients must be followed after phlebitis of the lower limb, and their thrombotic factors must be examined to prevent the new thromboembolic events.