Endovascular management of nonmalignant iliocaval venous lesions.

BACKGROUND: Iliocaval venous lesions produce a spectrum of symptoms ranging from mild swelling to venous ulcerations. In this study we examine the management and outcomes of these patients at our center. METHODS: In this study we performed a retrospective analysis of patients with symptomatic iliocaval venous stenoses, occlusions, or venous compression syndromes, who were treated with endovascular intervention during the period 2006-2010. RESULTS: Of the 36 patients evaluated, mean age was 43.0 years; prior deep venous thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE), and hypercoaguable states were present in 55.5%, 25.0%, and 44.4%, respectively. Patients were stratified by the presence (group I, n = 22) or absence (group II, n = 14) of underlying May-Thurner (MT) syndrome. In group I, 11 patients had nonocclusive MT-related stenoses and 11 had acute DVT with underlying MT, causing pain/swelling (100%), venous claudication (66.7%), or CEAP class 3 (95%) or 6 (5%). Female preponderance was 2.1:1. Eighteen patients had successful intervention (angioplasty/stent with or without lysis), with clinical improvement in 94.4% and a decrease in CEAP score in 83.3%. All group II patients had chronic iliocaval occlusions causing: pain (100%); swelling (88.9%); venous claudication (44.4%); or CEAP class 3 (58%), 4 (25%), or 6 (8%). Recanalization was attempted in all patients and was successful in 71.4%. Successful recanalization was associated with clinical improvement in 88.9% and a decrease in CEAP score in 44.4%. Complications included 2 early reocclusions, 2 hematomas, and no cases of PE or death. Primary and secondary 1-year patency was 86% and 100% overall (mean follow-up 9.6 months). Primary 1-year patency for groups I and II was 87.5% and 83.3%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous intervention for chronic iliocaval venous lesions is associated with excellent 1-year patency rates and a significant reduction in symptoms and decrease in CEAP score.

Inferior vena cava resection and reconstruction for retroperitoneal tumor excision.

OBJECTIVE: This study reviews the results of en bloc resection of the inferior vena cava (IVC) for malignant tumor excision and reconstruction. METHODS: A prospective database was reviewed. IVC resection was categorized as suprarenal, perirenal, infrarenal, or extensive (>one segment resected). Repairs were divided into primary, patch, or circumferential. Tumor type, perioperative morbidity, mortality, and graft patency were recorded. RESULTS: Between 1990 and 2011, 47 patients (21 women; mean age, 56; range, 35-89 years) underwent IVC resection for en bloc tumor excision. Sarcomas were most common (36 [77%]: 30 primary IVC). Eleven patients had primary IVC repair, nine patch repair (two autogenous), and 27 had circumferential replacement with a polytetrafluoroethylene ringed graft. Extensive IVC reconstruction in 18 patients included the entire IVC, with renal (RV) and hepatic vein reimplantation in eight; suprarenal and perirenal in six (seven RVs reimplanted); and infrarenal and perirenal in four (four RVs reimplanted). Nine single-segment IVC replacements were infrarenal. Morbidity was 10.6%: one each with bowel obstruction, chyle leak, renal failure with complete recovery (left RV reimplant, right nephrectomy), reoperation for bleeding, and IVC graft thrombosis. Morbidity did not differ by type of reconstruction. There was no mortality. Follow-up ranged from 1.5 to 216 months (18 years) with a mean of 3.5 years. Computed tomography or duplex scans were available in 28 of 47 patients and in 15 of 27 patients in group 3 at a mean follow-up of 36 and 20 months, respectively. One IVC graft thrombosis was documented at 10 months after chemotherapy/sepsis. Tumor recurrence caused three graft stenoses. Cumulative 5-year patency in group 3 was 80% (imaging) and 92% (clinical). Lower extremity edema was universally avoided. Cumulative 5-year survival for the series was 45% ± 8.5%. Mean long-term survival was 5.8 ± 0.56 years (range, 4 months-17 years), with a significant difference between primary or patch (mean, 6.5 years) and circumferential or extensive repair (mean, 4.2 years; P < .005). Cumulative (47% vs 52%) and mean (3.1 vs 3.6 years; P > .12) survival was similar between patients with single-segment and extensive IVC resection and replacement. CONCLUSIONS: IVC resection and reconstruction for en bloc tumor excision is safe, even when extensive repairs are necessary. Replacement of the IVC with prosthetic graft avoids extremity venous complications and likely contributes to quality of survival. Survival depends on tumor behavior and degree of IVC involvement, where primary and patch repair has a better prognosis than circumferential resection.

The impact of ablation of incompetent superficial and perforator veins on ulcer healing rates.

OBJECTIVE: We assessed the impact of endovenous ablation of incompetent superficial (great saphenous [GSV] and small saphenous [SSV]) and perforator (posterior tibial [PTPV]) veins on the healing rate of venous ulcers in patients who had failed conventional compression therapy. METHODS: Patients with CEAP 6 ulcers were treated with weekly compression in a dedicated wound care center. Ulcer size and depth were tracked prospectively. Those ulcers that showed no measurable improvement after >5 weeks of compression therapy underwent ablation of at least one incompetent vein. RESULTS: We performed 140 consecutive endovenous ablation procedures (74 superficial and 66 perforator) on 110 venous ulcers in 88 limbs. Ulcers had been present for 71 ± 6 months with an initial ulcer area of 23 ± 6 cm(2). Following successful ablation, the healing rate for healed ulcers improved from + 1.0 ± .1 cm(2)/month to -4.4 ± .1 cm(2)/month (P > .05). Ulcer healing rate for healed ulcers, based on the last vein ablated, was GSV = 6.4 cm(2)/month, SSV = 4.8 cm(2)/month, and PTPV = 2.9 cm(2)/month. After a minimum observation period of 6 months (mean follow up, 12 ± 1.25 months), 76.3% of patients healed in 142 ± 14 days. Twelve patients with 26 ulcers did not heal: two patients died from unrelated illnesses, six patients are still actively healing, and four patients have been lost to follow up. Of the healed ulcers, four patients with six ulcers (7.1%) recurred; two have rehealed. CONCLUSION: There is measurable and significant reduction in ulcer size and ultimate healing following ablation of incompetent superficial and perforator veins in patients who have failed conventional compression therapy.

Success of endovenous saphenous and perforator ablation in patients with symptomatic venous insufficiency receiving long-term warfarin therapy.

BACKGROUND: Endovenous ablation of great (GSV) and short saphenous vein (SSV) reflux has become the initial procedure for most patients with symptomatic venous insufficiency, and perforator ablation is increasingly used to assist in healing venous ulceration. Many patients have comorbid conditions, which require long-term anticoagulation with warfarin; however, the impact of a long-term anticoagulation therapy on endovenous ablation procedures is not understood. This study aims to determine the effects of chronic anticoagulation on the outcomes of endovenous ablation procedures in patients with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). METHODS: Consecutive patients undergoing endovenous ablation for to Clinical severity (CEAP) class 2 through 6 CVI between January 1, 2005 and May 1, 2011 were evaluated; 781 patients with chronic venous reflux underwent 1,180 endovenous ablation procedures. We identified 45 patients receiving long-term anticoagulation therapy who underwent 71 endovenous ablation procedures, including 37 GSVs, 12 SSVs, and 22 perforator vein procedures. All patients underwent wound examination and duplex ultrasonography within 48 to 72 hours. Outcomes evaluated included closure rate and postoperative complications. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 69.7 ± 13 years. Most patients treated presented with active venous ulceration (59% CEAP 6). Indications for anticoagulation included atrial fibrillation (n = 9, 20%), previous deep venous thrombosis (n = 16, 36%), hypercoagulable state (n = 9, 20%), prosthetic valve (n = 2, 4%), and others (n = 9, 20%). All patients receiving warfarin therapy (100%) underwent a postprocedure ultrasonography, which confirmed the successful closure of the GSVs and SSVs; successful initial perforator closure was achieved in 59% of patients (13/22). Repeat perforator ablation yielded a closure rate of 77%. Compared with a matched cohort group of 35 patients (61 perforators) undergoing perforator ablation without anticoagulation, treated during the same period, there was no significant difference in the rates of successful closure between the groups. No patients developed postoperative deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolus. No additional thrombotic complications were noted. Three patients (4.2%) developed a small hematoma after the procedure, which resolved with conservative treatment. No patients required postoperative hospital admission, and no postprocedure deaths occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our protocol, patients with severe CVI who were receiving long-term warfarin therapy can be treated safely and effectively with endovenous radiofrequency ablation for incompetent GSVs, SSVs, and perforator veins. Long-term warfarin therapy did not have a significant effect on perforator closure rates compared with no anticoagulation.

Endovenous ablation of incompetent perforating veins is effective treatment for recalcitrant venous ulcers.

OBJECTIVES: Endovenous closure of incompetent saphenous veins has been reported to facilitate venous ulcer healing; however, there is little information about the effectiveness of perforator ablation (PA) in healing recalcitrant venous ulcers. We report our experience with PA with venous ulcers unresponsive to prolonged compression therapy. METHODS: Patients with nonhealing venous ulcers of >3 months' duration underwent duplex ultrasound to assess their lower extremity venous system for incompetence of superficial, perforating, and deep veins. Patients who had either no saphenous incompetence or persistent ulcers after saphenous ablation underwent PA of incompetent perforating veins >3 mm that demonstrated reflux; initial treatment was performed on the perforator vein adjacent to the ulcer with additional incompetent veins treated if ulcer healing failed. RESULTS: Seventy-five ulcers with 86 associated incompetent perforating veins were treated with PA in 45 patients with CEAP 6 recalcitrant venous ulcers. Treated incompetent perforator veins were located in the medial ankle (61%), calf (37%), and lateral ankle (2%). Initial success of PA, assessed by postprocedure duplex ultrasound, was 58%; repeat ablation was 90% successful and 71% had eventual successful perforator closure. No complications (skin necrosis, infection, or nerve injury) occurred. Failure of ulcer healing with successful perforator closure occurred in 10% and was due to intercurrent illness, patient noncompliance, and patient death due to unrelated causes. Of patients who healed their ulcers, the healing occurred at a mean of 138 days; an average PA of 1.5 incompetent veins per ulcer was required for healing. Ninety percent of ulcers healed when at least one perforator was closed; no ulcer healed without at least one perforator being closed. CONCLUSIONS: This experience demonstrates both the feasibility and effectiveness of PA for a selected group of patients with venous ulcers who fail conventional therapy with compression.