Venous leg ulceration pathophysiology and evidence based treatment.

Venous leg ulceration (VLU) is one of the most predominate medical disorders worldwide and in the western hemisphere it affects around 1.5% of the general population and up to 5% of the elderly population. Unfortunately, this trend will only increase given the growth of an aging population worldwide. Understanding its pathophysiology that begins with venous hemodynamic abnormalities and leads to inflammatory alterations with microcirculatory changes is critical to delivering effective curative therapy. As such, the main component to treatment is reversing the underlying venous hypertension and pro-inflammatory milieu using compression treatment along with various adjuvant therapies. Given its impact, a comprehensive multi-pronged approach to care, treatment and prevention is required to reverse the increasing trend that is observed worldwide.

Management of mixed arterial venous lower extremity ulceration: A review.

Mixed arterial venous disease is estimated to affect up to 26% of patients with lower extremity ulcerations. However, its clinical significance and pathophysiology are incompletely understood. Furthermore, there is no consensus on the optimal treatment modality, whether conservative or operative. In this review paper, we describe the current understanding of the pathophysiology of mixed arterial venous lower extremity ulcers. Guidelines for diagnostic tests for patients with mixed arterial venous diseases are discussed. We review some of the newer biological skin substitutes for conservative wound care. Finally, we propose a treatment algorithm based on current available data.

Anti-platelet and anti-hypertension medication use in patients with fibromuscular dysplasia: Results from the United States Registry for Fibromuscular Dysplasia.

Fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD), a non-inflammatory arterial disease, may lead to renovascular hypertension (HTN) and cerebrovascular disease. Little is known about medication use in FMD. Clinical features and medication use were reviewed in a national FMD registry (12 US sites). Medication usage was assessed in raw and adjusted analyses. Covariates included demographic characteristics, co-morbid conditions and vascular bed involvement. A total of 874 subjects (93.6% female) were included in the analysis. Mean age was 55.6±13.1 years, 74.5% had HTN, 25.4% had a history of transient ischemic attack or stroke, and 7.5% had a history of coronary artery disease (CAD). Renal and cerebrovascular arteries were affected in 70.4% and 74.7%, respectively. Anti-platelet agents were administered to 72.9% of patients. In multivariate analyses, factors associated with a greater likelihood of anti-platelet agent use were older age (OR=1.02 per year, p=0.005), CAD (OR=3.76, p=0.015), cerebrovascular artery FMD involvement in isolation (OR=2.31, p<0.0001) or a history of previous intervention for FMD (OR=1.52, p=0.036). A greater number of anti-HTN medications was evident in isolated renal versus isolated cerebrovascular FMD patients. Factors associated with a greater number of anti-HTN medications were older age (OR=1.03 per year, p<0.0001), history of HTN (OR=24.04, p<0.0001), history of CAD (OR=2.71, p=0.0008) and a history of a previous therapeutic procedure (OR=1.72, p=0.001). In conclusion, in FMD, medication use varies based on vascular bed involvement. Isolated renal FMD patients receive more anti-HTN agents and there is greater anti-platelet agent use among patients with cerebrovascular FMD. Further studies correlating medication use in FMD with clinically meaningful patient outcomes are necessary.

Endovenous laser ablation vs phlebectomy of foot varicose veins.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes and complications of selected patients treated with endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) or ambulatory phlebectomy for foot varicose veins. METHODS: From October 2016 to February 2022, selected patients undergoing EVLA (using 1470-nm with radial-slim or bare-tip fibers) or phlebectomy of foot varicose veins for cosmetic indications were analyzed, and the outcomes were compared. Patients were classified according to the Clinical, Etiologic, Anatomical, and Pathophysiological (CEAP) classification. Anatomic criteria provided the basis for the decision to perform EVLA or phlebectomy. Clinical and ultrasound assessments were performed on postoperative days 7, 30, and 90 for visualization of the sapheno-femoral and sapheno-popliteal junctions and the deep venous system. Disease severity was graded with the Venous Clinical Severity Score (VCSS), and quality of life was measured with the Aberdeen Varicose Vein Questionnaire (AVVQ) before and after treatment. Treatment outcomes were evaluated based on changes in VCSS and AVVQ scores. The groups were also compared for procedure-related complications. Data were statistically analyzed in SPSS v. 20.0 using the χ2, Student t test, Mann-Whitney test, Wilcoxon test, and analysis of variance. The results were presented as mean (standard deviation or median (interquartile range). RESULTS: The study included 270 feet of 171 patients. Mean patient age was 52.3 (standard deviation, 13.1) years, ranging from 21 to 84 years; 133 (77.8%) were women. Of 270 feet, 113 (41.9%) were treated with EVLA and 157 (58.1%) with phlebectomy. The median preoperative CEAP class was 2 (interquartile range, 2-3) in the phlebectomy and EVLA groups, with no statistically significant difference between the groups (P = .507). Dysesthesia was the most common complication in both groups. Only transient induration was significantly different between EVLA (7.1%) and phlebectomy (0.0%) (P = .001). The two approaches had an equal impact on quality of life and disease severity. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment complications were similar in phlebectomy and EVLA and to those previously described in the literature.

Empty vein ablation (EVA) technique: an in-vivo animal model to assess the effects of sclerosing agent concentration and wall contact time on intima and media tunicae structure.

BACKGROUND: Sclerotherapy is a cornerstone of the treatment of chronic venous disease, despite some technical aspects (e.g., sclerosant liquid agent concentration [SLAC] and contact time between sclerosant agent and vein wall [ctSA/VW]) to maximize outcomes remain an unsolved problem and a source of debate. An innovative three-balloon catheter has been developed to allow sclerotherapy in empty vein conditions (Empty Vein Ablation technique, EVA), revolutionizing the definition of SLAC and ctSA/VW. Aim of this experimental study is to analyze EVA effects on intima and media vessel tunicae using different SLAC and ctSA/VW in an in-vivo animal model. METHODS: Two adult sheep were treated by EVA using jugular and common iliac vein axes (eight vein segments). Different SLAC (polidocanol 0.5% or 1%) and different ctSA/VW (3 or 5 minutes) were combined for testing residual circumferential intima percentage and media thickness after EVA. RESULTS: Intact circumferential residual intima after the treatment was 21.3±4.9%, 18.2±7.4%, 15.7±2.4% and 8.9±2.0% using 0.5% (3 min), 0.5% (5 min), 1% (3 min) and 1% (5 min), respectively (R2=0.945; control sample: 97.6%). Media thickness after the treatment was 121.6±35.3 µm, 110.9±7.8 µm, 96.1±30.4 µm and 79.1±34.1 µm using 0.5% (3 min), 0.5% (5 min), 1% (3 min) and 1% (5 min), respectively (R2=0.990; control sample 125.7 µm). No significant modifications were detected analyzing the adventitia in all samples. CONCLUSIONS: EVA proved to be effective in venous wall destruction even with a very low SLAC and ctSA/VW (0.5% in 3 minutes), in quite large caliber veins. Direct comparisons with foam/liquid sclerotherapy should be done to confirm therapeutic effectiveness of these results, despite EVA has provided a maximized and controlled SA/VW contact time and ratio.

Sulodexide Inhibits Arterial Contraction via the Endothelium-Dependent Nitric Oxide Pathway.

Background/Objectives: Sulodexide (SDX) is a drug known for restoring the glycocalyx, thereby offering endothelial protection and regulating permeability. Additionally, it has antithrombotic and anti-inflammatory properties and has shown arterial vasodilatory effects. Endothelial cells play a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis, with their dysfunction being a key contributor to loss in vasodilatory response, especially in arterial pathologies. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of SDX on stimulated vascular tonus in human arterial samples and to assess the function of the endothelial layer as a source of nitric oxide (NO). Methods: A total of 16 internal mammary artery remnants from coronary artery bypass graft surgeries were dissected into endothelium-intact and endothelium-denuded groups (n = 8 each). The arterial rings were equilibrated under tension, with their basal tonus recorded before and after phenylephrine stimulation. SDX's impact on arterial contraction was assessed through cumulative dose-response curves. NO synthase inhibitor (Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester) was used to assess SDX's vasodilatory effect over the NO pathway. Results: SDX application resulted in concentration-dependent vasorelaxation in both endothelium-intact and endothelium-denuded groups at certain doses. However, the inhibitory effect of SDX was more pronounced in endothelium-intact rings at higher doses compared to endothelium-denuded rings (p < 0.05). Similar inhibition of contraction curves was achieved for both endothelium-intact and endothelium-denuded rings after L-NAME pre-incubation, suggesting a necessity for NO-related endothelial pathways. Conclusions: SDX exerts a concentration-dependent inhibition on arterial contraction, emphasizing the critical role of an intact endothelium and NO-mediated pathways in this process. This underscores SDX's potential in treating endothelial dysfunction-related pathologies.

A comparison of tablet-based and paper-based venous insufficiency epidemiologic and economic study quality of life/symptom questionnaire for assessment of chronic venous disease.

OBJECTIVE: To comparatively evaluate performances of tablet-based versus paper-based Venous Insufficiency Epidemiologic and Economic Study-Quality of Life/Symptom (VEINES-QOL/Sym) questionnaire. METHODS: We prospectively evaluated 78 consecutive patients who completed tablet-based and paper-based VEINES-QOL/Sym questionnaires and compared their scores, completion time, data entry time, and ease of use. We used Student's t-test and Wilcoxon test for quantitative variables, Bland-Altman test and kappa coefficient for agreement between questionnaires and patients, respectively. Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to assess correlations. RESULTS: Most participants (83.3%) found it easier to use the tablet device. Less time was needed to complete the tablet-based (median, 4.75; IQR, 3-7 min) than the paper-based (median, 8.3; IQR, 6.3-11.3 min) questionnaire (p < .001). Better educated patients took less time to complete paper-based (p = .003) and tablet-based (p = .001) questionnaires and considered the latter easier to use (p = .010). CONCLUSIONS: The tablet-based VEINES-QOL/Sym proved to be an easy-to-use and time-saving tool.

Sulodexide Develops Contraction in Human Saphenous Vein via Endothelium-Dependent Nitric Oxide Pathway.

Chronic venous disease (CVD) is a proqgressive and underestimated condition related to a vicious circle established by venous reflux and endothelial inflammation, leading to vein dilation and histology distortion, including loss of media tone. Sulodexide (SDX) is a drug restoring the glycocalyx that demonstrated endothelial protection and permeability regulation, together with anti-thrombotic and anti-inflammatory roles. In the lab it also exhibited vein contractility function. The aim of the present study was to show the possible role of endothelium and nitric oxide pathway on SDX's veno-contractile effect on human saphenous veins. The remnants of great saphenous vein (GSV) segments (n = 14) were harvested during coronary artery bypass graft surgery. They were dissected as endothelium-intact (n = 8) and denuded rings (n = 6). First, a viability test was carried out in bath with Krebs-Henseleit solution to investigate a control and basal tension value. After this, cumulative doses of SDX were applied to rings and contraction values were studied in endothelium-intact phenylephrine (PheE, 6 × 10-7 M) pre-contracted vein rings. Finally, endothelium-intact PheE pre-contacted vein rings were treated by nitric oxide synthase inhibitor Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 10-4 M) for 10 min. Contraction protocol was applied, and contraction values were measured in cumulative doses of SDX. The same protocol was applied to endothelium-denuded vein rings to investigate the effect of SDX. Saphenous vein rings showed an increase in contraction to cumulative doses of SDX. In endothel-intact rings, KCL-induced contraction from 92.6% ± 0.3 to 112.9% ± 0.4 with cumulative SDX doses. However, SDX did not show any veno-contractile effect on endothel-denuded rings. In denuded rings contraction responses measured from 94.9% ± 0.3 to 85.2% ± 0.3 with increasing doses of SDX, indicating no significant change. Nitric oxide synthase inhibitor (L-NAME) prohibited the contraction response of the sulodexide in all dosages, indicating that the contractile function of SDX was mediated by endothelial derived nitric oxide. Results of endothel-intact and denuded rings with L-NAME showed a similar incline with denuded rings with SDX only. The results confirmed SDX's veno-contractile effect in human samples, by means of nitric oxide synthase pathways involvement.

Randomized controlled trial on occupational graduated compression clinical and cost-effectiveness.

BACKGROUND: Subjects exposed to occupational standing are at risk of developing chronic venous disease. Graduated compression stockings (GCS) counteract venous hypertension. Aim of the present investigation was to assess GCS clinical and cost effectiveness in prolonged standing up workers. METHODS: Randomized controlled trial involving 75 healthy healthcare professionals working in 6 hours standing up shifts without or with GCS (group A and B, respectively). Outcome measures were performed before and after the shift, at baseline (T0), at 1 (T1), 6 (T6) and 12 (T12) months and included lower limb volume, air plethysmography (APG), quality of life, and dedicated cost-effectiveness questionnaires. RESULTS: Seventy-two subjects completed the data collection. Leg volume increased in group A and decreased in B at all assessment points (T0, 1, 6, 12) (P<0.0001). Venous filling index did not change within the 12 months, but, after every shift, its value was lower in B compared to A (P<0.0001). At 12 months, VVSymQ worsened in A and improved in B (P<0.0001) and CIVIQ significantly worsened in A (P<0.0001), while in B it significantly improved (P<0.0001). Perceived disability was higher in A at 12 months (P<0.001) and the cost calculation revealed a saving of 1510 euro per year in B. CONCLUSIONS: GCS counteracted occupational oedema and positively influenced venous filling index, while improving vein specific quality of life measurements in addition to cost savings.

Empty vein ablation innovative technique for chronic venous disease treatment: proof of concept and ex-vivo analysis.

BACKGROUND: Sclerotherapy is among the mainstays of chronic venous disease treatment, yet its occlusion rate remains suboptimal compared to thermal tumescent techniques. An innovative three-balloons catheter has been developed to allow sclerotherapy in empty vein conditions (empty vein ablation technique, EVA). Aim of this investigation was to describe the EVA technical aspects and related ex-vivo effects on vein wall. METHODS: Two samples from jugular veins of an adult sheep were treated by EVA or foam sclerotherapy (FS, Tessari method). Primary outcome was the percentage of circumferential intima treated by EVA or FS; secondary outcomes were intima and media thickness modifications after treatment. RESULTS: Intact circumferential residual intima were 6.07±2.94% and 16.55±0.70% after EVA and FS, respectively (P=0.020). Despite the average intima and media thickness did not differ between treatments, EVA demonstrated a homogenous damage throughout the vein segment, while FS effect was less destructive distally to the injection site, because moving away from the injection site and floating, it has a less contact with internal surface of the vein. CONCLUSIONS: EVA seems to overcome chemical ablation limits as flushing effect and the increases vein wall/sclerosant agent contact effect compared to FS. Ex-vivo encouraging results need in-vivo validation to evaluate other points like deactivation of sclerosing agent by blood protein and the contact time control between SA and the vein wall. If we have further confirmations in vivo we might think we have a potential higher occlusion rate compared to FS, paving the way for future clinical trials.

Fake-news-free evidence-based communication for proper vein-lymphatic disease management.

Published scientific evidence demonstrate the current spread of healthcare misinformation in the most popular social networks and unofficial communication channels. Up to 40% of the medical websites were identified reporting inappropriate information, moreover being shared more than 450,000 times in a 5-year-time frame. The phenomenon is particularly spread in infective diseases medicine, oncology and cardiovascular medicine. The present document is the result of a scientific and educational endeavor by a worldwide group of top experts who selected and analyzed the major issues and related evidence-based facts on vein and lymphatic management. A section of this work is entirely dedicated to the patients and therefore written in layman terms, with the aim of improving public vein-lymphatic awareness. The part dedicated to the medical professionals includes a revision of the current literature, summing up the statements that are fully evidence-based in venous and lymphatic disease management, and suggesting future lines of research to fulfill the still unmet needs. The document has been written following an intense digital interaction among dedicated working groups, leading to an institutional project presentation during the Universal Expo in Dubai, in the occasion of the v-WINter 2022 meeting.

Summary of diagnostic and characteristic parameters of C0 to C2 patients based on the CEAP2020 classification.

OBJECTIVES: Hemodynamic changes in C0 to C2 according to the clinical/etiological/anatomical/pathophysiological classification have not been analyzed extensively. We intend to investigate the characteristics of early stage venous disease using venous clinical severity score (VCSS), heaviness/ache/swelling/throbbing/itching (HASTI) score and duplex ultrasound (DUS) derived parameters. METHODS: From Aug. 2020 to Jul. 2021, consecutive patients were categorized according to the clinical/etiological/anatomical/pathophysiological 2020 classification. The vein diameter (mm), reflux time (s), cross-sectional area (cm2), peak and mean reflux velocity (cm/s), and total reflux volume (mL) were documented in the superficial system and deep system. VCSS and HASTI scores were assessed and DUS parameters were analyzed. A P value of less than .05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: We studied 257 consecutive patients (142 female) with 371 limbs. The mean age was 50.96 ± 13.27 years (range, 20-81 years; median, 53 years) with an average body mass index of 24.03 ± 2.96 kg/m2 (range, 17.00-33.06 kg/m2; median, 23.67 kg/m2). The proportion of clinical (C) category was as followed: 47 C0S (12.67%), 45 C1 (12.13%), and 279 C2 (75.20%). There were 42.6% of C0 and 62.2% of C1 associated with some form of venous reflux, Pr (pathology [P]-reflux). Reflux of the great saphenous vein above the knee (GSVa) was the most commonly affected vein segment from C0-2. C1 differed from C0 only by age and severity scores with a cut-off value of 1 for both VCSS and HASTI. Larger saphenous veins diameter (GSV and small saphenous vein) were seen in Pr (P-reflux) than Pn (P-none) of C0 cases. Larger deep vein diameters (common femoral vein, femoral vein, and popliteal vein) were evident in Pr versus Pn of C1 cases. In C2, the popliteal vein, saphenofemoral junction, and GSVa were dilated in Pr cases. CONCLUSIONS: Both HASTI and VCSS were discriminative from C0 to C2. C0 differed from C1 by age and severity scores as DUS characteristics were not significantly different between the two groups. Vessel diameter played a discriminative role in distinguishing Pn versus Pr cases in each C0-2 category. GSVa was the most frequent reflux segment irrespective of reflux types.

Physical fitness changes induced by thermal aquatic standardized exercise in chronic venous disease patients.

BACKGROUND: Lack of physical activity represents a risk factor for both cardiovascular and chronic venous diseases (CVD), nevertheless a specific exercise protocol for CVD patient is still missing. This investigation was aimed to assess the impact of a standardized exercise protocol in a thermal water environment on physical fitness and quality-of-life (QoL) in CVD patients. METHODS: Sixteen (16) CVD patients performed 5 standardized exercise sessions in a thermal water pool. Before starting the exercise protocol, the cohort filled International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) to determine their physical activity level. At baseline and at the end of the exercise program, leg volume, QoL, musculoskeletal and cardiovascular physical fitness were assessed by means of water plethysmography, validated questionnaire and functional test, blood pressure and heart rate at rest were also reported. RESULTS: All the patients were categorized as physically inactive: average activity time 235.6 (155.2) MET-minutes per week. At the end of the study, a significant leg volume reduction was found (-16%; p < .002). Significant improvement in lower limb strength (p < .0001), endurance (p < .006), rapidity and balance (p < .05) together with decrease in resting heart rate (-1.8%, p < .0001) and systolic blood pressure (-1.1%, p < .04) were reported, significant improvement in bodily pain (p < .0005) and social function (p < .002) QoL items were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed exercise protocol in thermal aquatic environment demonstrated to be an effective treatment modality improving both cardiovascular and musculoskeletal outcomes and QoL in sedentary CVD patients. Aquatic environment investigations require proper analysis of the various factors involved, in a standardized and reproducible way. The herein report can be a reference for further studies on different health related conditions.

Genetic association studies in peripheral arterial disease.

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a major health problem worldwide, affecting millions of patients. Although cardiovascular risk factors such as diabetes mellitus, tobacco abuse, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia have been associated with the development of PAD, the possible existence of an inherited genetic predisposition to PAD has been investigated in numerous familial aggregation studies. A link between genetics and PAD may open new avenues for prevention of this morbid and mortal disorder. This is an overview of the potential association of genetics and PAD.

Review on Disasters and Lower Limb Venous Disease.

As per the World Health Organization, a disaster is defined as "an event that occurs in most cases suddenly and unexpectedly, causing severe disturbances to people or objects affected by it, resulting in the loss of life and harm to the health of the population." A number of health issues are often reported following disasters, such as physical and psychological trauma, infections, malnutrition, and cardiovascular events. Among these, venous thromboembolism is deemed serious and thus should be taken into consideration. Indeed, its risk has been demonstrated to increase following earthquakes, floods, burns, and intoxications. The recent coronavirus pandemic summarizes some of the main triggering factors involved in acute and chronic venous disease development in a disaster setting: inflammation, infection, lockdown-induced reduced mobility, potential malnutrition, and overweight. Proper venous risk assessment and guideline application have been determined to be essential in disaster management, particularly in the current time in which sheltering could lead to a potential exacerbation of the pandemic, which can only increase the risk for venous thrombotic diseases. Global scientific teamwork is needed to make the recommendations as evidence-based and as homogeneous as possible among continents. In this present review, we focus on how earthquakes impact venous thromboembolism, including an analysis of other disaster-related conditions, such as burns and intoxication. (This is a review article based on the informative seminar of the 40th Annual Meeting of Japanese Society of Phlebology.).

iWRAP: A Theranostic Wearable Device With Real-Time Vital Monitoring and Auto-Adjustable Compression Level for Venous Thromboembolism.

OBJECTIVE: Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) is a commonly underdiagnosed disease with severe consequences and an exceedingly high mortality rate. Conventional compression wraps are devised for therapeutic purpose but lack diagnostic capacity. Recent advances in flexible electronics and wearable technologies offer many possibilities for chronic disease management. In particular, vital signs have been studied to show a strong correlation with the risk of VTE patients. In this study, we aim to develop an intelligent theranostic compression device, referred to as iWRAP, with the built-in capacity of real-time vital sign monitoring together with auto-adjustable compression level. METHODS: An instantaneous pneumatic feedback control with a high-resolution pressure sensor is integrated to provide a highly stabilized compression level at the prescribed interface pressure for an improved therapeutic outcome. Meanwhile, arterial pulse waveforms extracted from the pressure readings from the smart compression device can be utilized to derive the body vital signs, including heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR) and blood pressure (BP). RESULTS: A reliable delivery of the targeted compression level within ±5% accuracy in the range of 20-60 mmHg has been achieved through the feedback of the interface pressure. Both HR and RR have been measured within clinical-grade accuracies. Moreover, BP estimated using an ALA model has been achieved at low compression levels, which is also within a clinical-acceptable accuracy. The acquired vital information has been instantaneously fit into the clinically acceptable criteria for life-threatening PE risk with timely assessments. CONCLUSION: The iWRAP has shown the potential to become the first theranostic wearable device with both continuous delivery of accurate and effective compression therapy and real-time monitoring of life-threatening conditions for VTE patients.

Association between vein diameters, reflux characteristics, and clinical severity in patients with chronic venous insufficiency in Northwest China.

OBJECTIVE: Our goal was to summarize the relationship between vein diameters, reflux characteristics, and clinical severity in consecutive patients with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) in Northwest China. METHODS: We evaluated 531 consecutive patients with CVI (249 women) who presented to the Department of Ultrasound of Xijing Hospital from September 2017 to July 2019. Reflux times and the mean diameters of the great saphenous, the small saphenous, and the calf perforator veins based on duplex ultrasound scans obtained in the standing position were recorded. Venous-specific assessment tools-the Heaviness, Achiness, Swelling, Throbbing, Itching (HASTI) score, the Venous Clinical Severity Score (VCSS), and the Clinical, Etiological, Anatomical, Pathophysiological (CEAP) class-were analyzed. Regression analysis was used to investigate the relationship between the clinical scores, vein diameters, and reflux times. A P value of less than .05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: We analyzed 531 consecutive patients with 728 limbs. The mean age was 55.24 ± 11.38 years; the mean body mass index (BMI) was 24.75 ± 3.49 kg/m2. Three hundred thirty-four patients (62.9%) presented with unilateral limb findings and 197 (37.1%), with bilateral limb involvement. No significant changes were noted in age and BMI across CEAP classes (F = 2.322 and F = 3.917, respectively; P > .05 for both). Both the HASTI score (r2 = 0.8741; P < .001) and the VCSS (r2 = 0.9257; P < .001) correlated with the CEAP class. The HASTI score strongly correlated with the mean diameters of the great saphenous and small saphenous veins (r2 = 0.9252, r2 = 0.6304, respectively; P < .001 for both) similarly to VCSS (r2 = 0.9396, r2 = 0.7195, respectively; P < .001 for both). The HASTI score and VCSS correlated equally with the mean diameters of the calf perforator veins (r = 0.7773 and r = 0.7781, respectively; P < .001 for both). In those with C6, both great saphenous vein (F = 4.608; P < .001) and small saphenous vein reflux times (F = 14.97; P < .001) were significantly higher than those in C1. Both the HASTI score and VCSS strongly associated with the reflux times of the great saphenous (r2 = 0.7706 and r2 = 0.8181, respectively; P < .001 for both) and small saphenous veins (r2 = 0.6470 and r2 = 0.7865, respectively; P < .001 for both). CONCLUSIONS: This analysis is one of the few epidemiologic studies of patients with CVI in Northwest China. Age and BMI did not correlate with CEAP class. Both the HASTI score and VCSS correlated strongly with the CEAP classification; vein diameters and reflux time in both the great saphenous vein and the small saphenous vein, indicating the validity of these outcome tools to venous hemodynamics and to CVI in general.

State of the art on cryo-laser cryo-sclerotherapy in lower limb venous aesthetic treatment.

Here we describe a combination of neodymium:yttrium-aluminium-garnet 1064-nm laser emission and injection of 75% dextrose solution to treat lower limb reticular veins. The strategy is known as cryo-laser cryo-sclerotherapy. Preliminary outcomes are reported, showing ecchymosis in up to 30% of cases and intravenous thrombus in 14%. A satisfactory vessel elimination is found in 86% of cases. No improvement or worsening was reported in 14% of patients. The paper provides technical details with the aim of promoting homogeneity in future data collection, so fostering publication of long-term effectiveness and related comparative evaluation with sclerotherapy and laser treatment alone.

Ultrasound velocity criteria for renal in-stent restenosis.

BACKGROUND: Renal artery stent placement is a recognized treatment for patients with hemodynamically significant renal artery stenosis when medical therapy fails. Duplex ultrasound (DUS) is the primary method used for noninvasive assessment of renal artery patency. Arterial stents alter the compliance of the artery, which could make the standard reference values, based on native renal artery velocities, inaccurate. This study attempted to determine DUS criteria for renal artery in-stent restenosis (ISR). METHODS: We studied 67 consecutive patients with suspected renal artery ISR based on abnormal renal DUS results, defined as peak systolic velocity (PSV) >or=200 cm/s and renal/aortic velocity ratio (RAR) >or=3.5. The ISR patients were compared with 55 consecutive nonstented patients who underwent renal DUS evaluation and renal angiography. Those with >or=50% angiographic narrowing in each group were analyzed, and renal PSV and RAR were compared. RESULTS: In the 67 patients with renal stents and 55 patients without renal stents, a statistically significant correlation was found for both PSV and RAR in detecting renal ISR and renal artery stenosis as defined by quantitative angiography (P = .02). For any level of angiographic stenosis >or=50%, the ISR group had relatively higher PSV and RAR compared with the nonstented group. Receiver operating characteristic curves indicated that PSV >or=395 cm/s or RAR >or=5.1 were the most predictive of angiographically significant ISR >or=70%. CONCLUSION: The current DUS criteria for native renal arteries may overestimate the degree of angiographic ISR due to changes in compliance. We recommend that DUS laboratories make adjustments in PSV and RAR obtained by DUS when monitoring the patency of renal stents for ISR.

Optimal risk factor modification and medical management of the patient with peripheral arterial disease.

Peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAD) is a highly prevalent atherosclerotic syndrome associated with significant morbidity and mortality. It is defined by atherosclerotic obstruction of the abdominal aorta and arteries to the legs that reduces arterial flow during exercise and/or at rest, and is a common manifestation of systemic atherosclerosis. PAD represents a marker for premature cardiovascular events, and in patients with PAD, even in the absence of a history of myocardial infarction (MI) or ischemic stroke, they have approximately the same relative risk of death from cardiovascular causes as do patients with a history of coronary or cerebrovascular disease. In addition, their death rate from all causes is approximately equal in men and women and is elevated even in asymptomatic patients. The major risk factors for PAD are the well defined atherosclerotic risks such as diabetes mellitus, cigarette smoking, advanced age, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension. Due to the presence of these risk factors, the systemic nature of atherosclerosis, and the high risk of ischemic events, patients with PAD should be candidates for aggressive secondary prevention strategies including aggressive risk factor modification, antiplatelet therapy, lipid lowering therapy and antihypertensive treatment. This article reviews the current medical treatment and risk factor modification of patients with PAD.