Which dose of calcium dobesilate is more effective and safe in chronic venous insufficiency? Multicenter retrospective clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of different dosages of calcium dobesilate in the management of Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI) among patients in CEAP classes C3-C4. METHODS: A comprehensive multicenter retrospective analysis was conducted, including patients aged 18-70 with CEAP class C3-C4 CVI. Participants were divided into two groups: one receiving 500 mg of calcium dobesilate twice daily and the other 1000 mg twice daily. Patient progress was monitored using the Global Index Score, CIVIC-20 Score, and precise measurements of ankle and calf circumferences over a 12-month period. RESULTS: The higher dosage group (1000 mg twice daily) showed significant improvements in both symptom relief and edema reduction. Ankle circumference reduced notably at 6 months, while calf circumference and overall quality of life, measured by the Global Index Score, showed significant improvement by 12 months compared to the lower dosage group. CONCLUSIONS: Higher doses of calcium dobesilate markedly enhance the management of CVI symptoms and reduce edema more effectively than lower doses, particularly in patients with advanced CVI. These findings support the use of higher dosages for optimal treatment, though further research is needed to fully evaluate long-term safety.

Usage of rotational atherectomy and drug-coated balloon angioplasty for isolated popliteal artery lesions: two-year results of a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVES: In this study, perioperative properties and early and mid-term clinical outcomes of endovascular revascularization with a combined usage of rotational atherectomy (RA) and drug-coated balloon angioplasty (DCB) angioplasty for isolated popliteal artery lesion were reported. METHODS: A total of 28 patients with isolated popliteal artery stenosis who underwent combined RA and DCB angioplasty between December 2018 and September 2022 were analyzed retrospectively. Temren atherectomy system (Invamed, Ankara, Turkey) and Extender paclitaxel-coated drug-coated balloon catheter (Invamed, Ankara, Turkey) were used in all cases. The main outcome was primary patency; secondary outcomes were technical success, freedom from amputation, and mortality. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 64.2 ± 9.1 years and the majority of the patients were male (n = 20; 71.4%). Types of the lesions were total occlusion in 24 limbs and critical stenosis in 4 limbs. The mean total occlusion length was 65.2 ± 14.2 mm. Flow-limiting dissection was seen in lesions of 2 patients (7.1%) and treated with prolonged balloon dilatation without bail-out stenting requirement. Technical success defined as an adequate vascular lumen (less than 30% stenosis) was achieved in 26 (92.8%) with a mean follow-up of 17.2 ± 8.2 months. The mean primary patency rates at 12 months and 24 months were 92.3% ± 3.2 and 81.2% ± 3.2, respectively. Complications included 1 distal embolization following RA, 2 flow-limiting dissections, and 3 puncture site hematomas. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular procedures using combined RA and DCB angioplasty seem to be effective alternative treatment modalities for the treatment of popliteal artery lesions with high rates of primary patency and freedom from TLR.

Comparison of cyanoacrylate closure and radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of small saphenous veins.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to compare the early and mid-term results of radiofrequency ablation and cyanoacrylate ablation used in the treatment of small saphenous insufficiency. METHODS: A total of 84 patients with isolated small saphenous vein insufficiency who underwent either cyanoacrylate ablation (CA) (Group 1, n = 40) or radiofrequency ablation (RFA) (Group 2, n = 44) were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: The occlusion rate of target vessel was 95% in Group 1 and 93.1% in Group 2 patients, respectively, at 1-year follow-up without any significant difference. Sural nerve injury was observed in 3 (6.8%) patients in Group 2 due to the thermal damage of the RFA device. CONCLUSIONS: While both techniques can be used with satisfactory and safe results in 1-year follow-up period, cyanoacrylate ablation may have a better safety profile compared to radiofrequency ablation due to lower complication rates in terms of paresthesia and sural nerve damage with similar occlusion rates.

The Effect of Balloon-Assisted Pharmacomechanical Catheter-Directed Thrombolysis on the Patency and Post-Thrombotic Syndrome in Patients with Acute Iliofemoral Deep Vein Thrombosis: Is it Really Necessary or Not?

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to describe the contribution and advantage of balloon-dilatation of iliac and femoral veins following pharmacomechanical catheter-directed thrombolysis (PCDT) on the development of post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS). METHODS: From October 2018 and January 2022, 85 patients with acute total occlusion of the iliac and femoral veins were treated with PCDT. The cohort was divided into 2 groups depending on the utilization of concomitant balloon dilatation of iliac and femoral veins (Group 1, n = 34, 40.0%) or not (Group 2, n = 51, 60.0%) during the PCDT. All patients underwent duplex ultrasound scanning for evaluating the patency of iliac veins and recanalization rates at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. The Villalta score was used to score the severity of PTS at 12 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Patients who underwent balloon-assisted PCDT (group 1) exhibited significantly higher primary patency rates in common iliac vein (CIV) (recanalization 84.3 ± 14.6%, P = 0.003), external iliac vein (EIV) (recanalization 82.8 ± 17.2, P = 0.003) and common femoral vein (CFV) (recanalization 88.1 ± 12.1%, P = 0.038) compared with the group 2 at the end of 12 months follow-up. Only 2 patients underwent venous stenting in follow-up due to severe venous claudication, however, 13 patients were required iliac vein stenting due to severe PTS proved with a high Villalta score at 12-month follow-up. The d-dimer level at 1-year follow-up had also significantly lower in Group 1 due to higher rates of patency and lower thrombosis burden. The most common bleeding events were hematuria (n = 4) or oozing in the puncture site (n = 4). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that balloon-assisted PCDT reduces the risk of PTS, is more successful in common iliac vein recanalization, reduces the need for the venous stent, and even lowers the D-dimer levels of the patients compared to routine PCDT alone.