Association between the degree of iliac venous outflow obstruction by intravascular ultrasound and lower limb venous reflux.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aims to evaluate the association between the degree of iliac venous outflow obstruction (IVOO) identified by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and venous reflux presentation in the lower limbs on duplex ultrasound (DU). METHODS: Patients with bilateral chronic venous insufficiency, CEAP (clinical-etiology-anatomy-pathophysiology) C3 to C6, and a visual analog scale score for pain >5 underwent DU for reflux evaluation of the deep venous system (reflux ≥1 second); superficial system, great saphenous vein, and small saphenous vein (reflux ≥0.5 second); and perforator system (reflux ≥0.35 second). All patients underwent IVUS in the iliac venous territory. The area of the impaired venous segments was categorized as obstruction <50% (category 1), 50% to 79% (category 2), and ≥80% (category 3). The venous clinical severity score and reflux multisegment score (RMS) were assessed. RESULTS: A total of 51 patients (n = 102 limbs; age, 50.53 ± 14.5 years; 6 men) were included. The predominant clinical severity CEAP class was C3 in 54 of 102 limbs (52.9%). The mean VCSS was 14.3 ± 6.7. A severe RMS (≥3) was registered in 63.4% of the limbs. Of the 102 limbs, 51 (50%) presented with category 1, 27 (26.5%) with category 2, and 24 (23.5%) with category 3. Previous deep vein thrombosis (DVT) was associated with critical obstruction (odds ratio [OR], 3.65; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.29-10.38; P = .015). The superficial and perforator venous systems had no association with the degree of IVOO. Deep venous reflux (DVR) had a significant association with significant IVOO (obstruction ≥50%; OR, 6.44; 95% CI, 2.19-18.93; P = .001) and critical IVOO (obstruction ≥80%; OR, 4.57; 95% CI, 1.70-12.27; P = .003) and a significant linear association with the IVOO degree and reflux in the femoral veins (P < .001) and popliteal vein (P = .008). Significant lesions were significantly more likely to develop in the left limb (OR, 5.76; 95% CI, 2.46-13.50; P < .001). After multivariate analysis, DVR remained a predictor for significant and critical obstruction (P < .003 and P < .012, respectively). Left limb and previous DVT remained as predictors for IVOO of ≥50% and ≥80% (P < .001 and P = .043, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: We found a significant linear association between the degree of IVOO and reflux in the deep venous system on DU. Limbs with DVR, a severe RMS, loss of respiratory variation on DU, and previous DVT were more likely to be affected by IVOO of ≥50%, especially with left leg involvement.

Association between the degree of iliac venous outflow obstruction by intravascular ultrasound and lower limbs venous reflux

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the association between the degree of iliac venous outflow obstruction (IVOO) identified by Intravascular Ultrasound (IVUS) and venous reflux presentation in lower limbs on Duplex Ultrasound (DU). METHODS: Patients with bilateral chronic venous insufficiency, CEAP C3-6 (Clinical-Etiology-Anatomy-Pathophysiology classification), and with Visual Analogic Scale score for pain > 5, underwent DU for reflux evaluation: deep venous system (reflux ≥ 1 s); superficial system, great saphenous vein (GSV) and small saphenous vein (SSV) (reflux ≥ 0.5 s); perforator system (reflux ≥ 0.35s). All patients underwent IVUS in the iliac venous territory. The area of the impaired venous segments was categorized as obstructions< 50% (Cat. 1); 50-79% (Cat. 2), and ≥ 80% (Cat. 3). Venous clinical severity scale (VCSS) and reflux multisegment score (RMS) were assessed. RESULTS: 51 patients (n=102 limbs; 50.53 ± 14.5 years, 6 men) were included. The predominant clinical severity CEAP class was C3 in 54/102 (52.9%) limbs. VCSS mean was 14.3 ± 6.7. Severe RMS (≥ 3) was registered in 63,4% of the limbs. In 51/102 limbs (50%) presented cat. 1, 27/102 (26.5%) cat. 2, and 24/102 (23.5%) cat. 3. Previous DVT was associated with critical obstruction (OR 3.65; 95% CI: 1.29-10.38; p=0.015). Superficial and perforator venous systems had no association with the degree of iliac obstruction. Deep venous reflux (DVR) had a significant association with significative IVOO (obstruction ≥ 50%) (OR 6.44; 95% CI: 2.19-18.93; p=0.001) and critical IVOO (obstruction ≥ 80%) (OR 4.57; 95% CI: 1.70-12.27; p=0.003), and significant linear association with IVOO degree and reflux in femoral veins (p<0.001) and popliteal vein (p=0.008). Significant lesions had 5.76 (95% CI: 2.46-13.50; p<0.001) more odds of happening in the left limb. After a multivariate analysis, DVR remained as predictor for significant and critical obstruction (p<0.003, p< 0.012; respectively). Left limb and previous DVT remained as predictors for IVOO ≥50% and IVOO≥ 80% (p<0.001, p=0.043; respectively) CONCLUSIONS: There is a significant linear association between the degree of iliac venous outflow obstruction and reflux in the deep venous system on DU. Limbs with DVR, severe RMS, loss of respiratory variation on DU, and previous DVT, were more likely to be affected by IVOO ≥ 50%, especially with the left leg involvement.

Uterine artery embolization with highly compressible calibrated microspheres for the treatment of uterine fibroids.

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of using highly compressible calibrated microspheres in uterine artery embolization (UAE) for the treatment of uterine fibroids. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective multicenter study. Thirty-two women with symptomatic uterine fibroids were selected for UAE between January 2019 and March 2020. The participants completed the Uterine Fibroid Symptom and Quality of Life (UFS-QOL) questionnaire, underwent contrast-enhanced pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and were submitted to anti-Müllerian hormone measurement, subsequently undergoing UAE with Embosoft microspheres. After six months, the patients again completed the UFS-QOL questionnaire and underwent pelvic MRI. Results: The most common symptoms were abnormal uterine bleeding (in 81.3% of the cases), pelvic pain (in 81.3%), and compression (in 46.9%). Of the 32 patients evaluated, 12 (37.5%) had anemia due to abnormal uterine bleeding. Thirty patients completed the study. Among those patients, we observed median reductions of 21.4% in uterine volume and 15.9% in dominant fibroid volume. We identified no adverse events that could be attributed to the material itself, although there were events attributed to the UAE procedure in general. Conclusion: For the treatment of uterine fibroids, UAE using Embosoft microspheres shows satisfactory results, providing reductions in uterine and dominant fibroid volumes, with a low rate of adverse events, and improving patient quality of life, as well as demonstrating safety and efficacy.

Objetivo: Avaliar a eficácia e segurança da embolização da artéria uterina (EAU) com microesferas calibradas de alta compressibilidade no tratamento de miomas uterinos. Materiais e Métodos: Este foi um estudo prospectivo e multicêntrico. Foram selecionadas 32 mulheres com miomas uterinos sintomáticos para EAU de janeiro de 2019 a março de 2020. As participantes preencheram o questionário Uterine Fibroid Symptom and Quality of Life (UFS-QOL), realizaram ressonância magnética (RM) pélvica com contraste e teste para medição dos hormônios antimüllerianos, seguido de embolização de miomas com microesferas Embosoft. Após seis meses, as pacientes novamente preencheram o UFS-QOL e realizaram RM pélvica. Resultados: Os sintomas mais relatados foram sangramento uterino anormal (81,3%), dor pélvica (81,3%) e compressão (46,9%). Doze pacientes (37,5%) apresentaram anemia consequente a sangramento uterino anormal. Nas 30 pacientes que completaram o estudo, observou-se redução mediana de 21,4% no volume uterino e 15,9% no volume do mioma dominante. Não foram identificados eventos adversos possivelmente relacionados ao material utilizado, apenas em relação ao procedimento de EAU. Conclusão: EAU com microesferas Embrosoft mostrou resultados satisfatórios no tratamento de miomas uterinos, com redução dos volumes uterino e do mioma dominante, baixa taxa de eventos adversos e melhora na qualidade de vida, demonstrando segurança e eficácia.

Uterine artery embolization with highly compressible calibrated microspheres for the treatment of uterine fibroids / Embolização de miomas uterinos com microesferas calibradas de alta compressibilidade

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of using highly compressible calibrated microspheres in uterine artery embolization (UAE) for the treatment of uterine fibroids. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective multicenter study. Thirty-two women with symptomatic uterine fibroids were selected for UAE between January 2019 and March 2020. The participants completed the Uterine Fibroid Symptom and Quality of Life (UFS-QOL) questionnaire, underwent contrast-enhanced pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and were submitted to anti-Müllerian hormone measurement, subsequently undergoing UAE with Embosoft microspheres. After six months, the patients again completed the UFS-QOL questionnaire and underwent pelvic MRI. RESULTS: The most common symptoms were abnormal uterine bleeding (in 81.3% of the cases), pelvic pain (in 81.3%), and compression (in 46.9%). Of the 32 patients evaluated, 12 (37.5%) had anemia due to abnormal uterine bleeding. Thirty patients completed the study. Among those patients, we observed median reductions of 21.4% in uterine volume and 15.9% in dominant fibroid volume. We identified no adverse events that could be attributed to the material itself, although there were events attributed to the UAE procedure in general. CONCLUSION: For the treatment of uterine fibroids, UAE using Embosoft microspheres shows satisfactory results, providing reductions in uterine and dominant fibroid volumes, with a low rate of adverse events, and improving patient quality of life, as well as demonstrating safety and efficacy.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a eficácia e segurança da embolização da artéria uterina (EAU) com microesferas calibradas de alta compressibilidade no tratamento de miomas uterinos. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Este foi um estudo prospectivo e multicêntrico. Foram selecionadas 32 mulheres com miomas uterinos sintomáticos para EAU de janeiro de 2019 a março de 2020. As participantes preencheram o questionário Uterine Fibroid Symptom and Quality of Life (UFS-QOL), realizaram ressonância magnética (RM) pélvica com contraste e teste para medição dos hormônios antimüllerianos, seguido de embolização de miomas com microesferas Embosoft. Após seis meses, as pacientes novamente preencheram o UFS-QOL e realizaram RM pélvica. RESULTADOS: Os sintomas mais relatados foram sangramento uterino anormal (81,3%), dor pélvica (81,3%) e compressão (46,9%). Doze pacientes (37,5%) apresentaram anemia consequente a sangramento uterino anormal. Nas 30 pacientes que completaram o estudo, observou-se redução mediana de 21,4% no volume uterino e 15,9% no volume do mioma dominante. Não foram identificados eventos adversos possivelmente relacionados ao material utilizado, apenas em relação ao procedimento de EAU. CONCLUSÃO: EAU com microesferas Embrosoft mostrou resultados satisfatórios no tratamento de miomas uterinos, com redução dos volumes uterino e do mioma dominante, baixa taxa de eventos adversos e melhora na qualidade de vida, demonstrando segurança e eficácia.

Uterine artery embolization with highly compressible calibrated microspheres for the treatment of uterine fibroids / Embolização de miomas uterinos com microesferas calibradas de alta compressibilidade

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of using highly compressible calibrated microspheres in uterine artery embolization (UAE) for the treatment of uterine fibroids. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective multicenter study. Thirty-two women with symptomatic uterine fibroids were selected for UAE between January 2019 and March 2020. The participants completed the Uterine Fibroid Symptom and Quality of Life (UFS-QOL) questionnaire, underwent contrast-enhanced pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and were submitted to anti-Müllerian hormone measurement, subsequently undergoing UAE with Embosoft microspheres. After six months, the patients again completed the UFS-QOL questionnaire and underwent pelvic MRI. Results: The most common symptoms were abnormal uterine bleeding (in 81.3% of the cases), pelvic pain (in 81.3%), and compression (in 46.9%). Of the 32 patients evaluated, 12 (37.5%) had anemia due to abnormal uterine bleeding. Thirty patients completed the study. Among those patients, we observed median reductions of 21.4% in uterine volume and 15.9% in dominant fibroid volume. We identified no adverse events that could be attributed to the material itself, although there were events attributed to the UAE procedure in general. Conclusion: For the treatment of uterine fibroids, UAE using Embosoft microspheres shows satisfactory results, providing reductions in uterine and dominant fibroid volumes, with a low rate of adverse events, and improving patient quality of life, as well as demonstrating safety and efficacy.

Resumo Objetivo: Avaliar a eficácia e segurança da embolização da artéria uterina (EAU) com microesferas calibradas de alta compressibilidade no tratamento de miomas uterinos. Materiais e Métodos: Este foi um estudo prospectivo e multicêntrico. Foram selecionadas 32 mulheres com miomas uterinos sintomáticos para EAU de janeiro de 2019 a março de 2020. As participantes preencheram o questionário Uterine Fibroid Symptom and Quality of Life (UFS-QOL), realizaram ressonância magnética (RM) pélvica com contraste e teste para medição dos hormônios antimüllerianos, seguido de embolização de miomas com microesferas Embosoft. Após seis meses, as pacientes novamente preencheram o UFS-QOL e realizaram RM pélvica. Resultados: Os sintomas mais relatados foram sangramento uterino anormal (81,3%), dor pélvica (81,3%) e compressão (46,9%). Doze pacientes (37,5%) apresentaram anemia consequente a sangramento uterino anormal. Nas 30 pacientes que completaram o estudo, observou-se redução mediana de 21,4% no volume uterino e 15,9% no volume do mioma dominante. Não foram identificados eventos adversos possivelmente relacionados ao material utilizado, apenas em relação ao procedimento de EAU. Conclusão: EAU com microesferas Embrosoft mostrou resultados satisfatórios no tratamento de miomas uterinos, com redução dos volumes uterino e do mioma dominante, baixa taxa de eventos adversos e melhora na qualidade de vida, demonstrando segurança e eficácia.

Real life outcomes of infrapopliteal endovascular and surgical bypass intervention for chronic limb threatening ischaemia in GLASS stages II and III

OBJETIVE: Great efforts have been made to determine when choosing between bypass surgery or angioplasty as first-time revascularization in chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI). Endovascular therapy predominates despite limited evidence for their advantage. The purpose of this observational cohort study, was to investigate outcomes after open and endovascular infrapopliteal revascularization in extensive infrainguinal arterial disease. METHODS: The medical records of 1427 patients who underwent infrainguinal revascularization exclusively for CLTI in the period of January 2014 to February 2019 were reviewed. After detailed analysis, only infrapopliteal revascularizations classified as GLASS stage II or III were considered, resulting in 326 procedures. There were 127 patients who underwent endovascular therapy and 199 patients who underwent bypass graft surgery (BGS). The primary endpoints included amputation-free survival (AFS) and overall survival (OS). Secondary endpoints included the analyses of multiple factors related to long-term AFS. RESULTS: Regarding the primary endpoint, AFS were 75.2% and 65.2% at 1 and 3 years, respectively. Overall survival at 1 and 3 years were 91.2% and 83.1%, respectively. In the univariate analysis, the hazard of the combined endpoint of major amputation or death was higher following bypass surgery than after endovascular therapy (HR 1.80; 95% CI, 1.13-2.89; P= .013). After either revascularization method, TASCII femoropopliteal D was associated with a higher risk of amputation or death (HR 1.69; 95% CI, 1.10-2.58; P= .015). Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed no association between the variables analysed for AFS. CONCLUSIONS: CLTI patients submitted to infrapopliteal revascularization and classified as GLASS II and III had satisfactory AFS and OS rates after indivualized team conference decision. Furthermore, the revascularization modality (endo or open) did not influence the results of AFS.

Best practices in diagnosis and treatment of chronic iliac vein obstruction.

Iliac vein obstruction occurs in 20-30% of the general population. In patients with severe chronic venous insufficiency, this prevalence can be even higher, reaching 50-90% when the obstruction is investigated using intravascular ultrasound. Less invasive methods, such as venous Duplex Scanning, and even invasive ones such as venography may fail to diagnose the condition. Endovascular treatment of these obstructions is effective, safe, and associated with excellent clinical outcomes and stent patency rates, provided that fundamental anatomical and technical principles are considered and applied.

O caminho das pedras no diagnóstico e tratamento da síndrome obstrutiva ilíaca venosa crônica / Best practices in diagnosis and treatment of chronic iliac vein obstruction

Resumo A obstrução venosa ilíaca ocorre em 20% a 30% da população. Nos portadores de insuficiência venosa crônica grave, essa prevalência é ainda maior, podendo chegar a 50% a 90% dos pacientes, situação em que essa obstrução é investigada pelo ultrassom intravascular. Métodos diagnósticos menos invasivos, como o Doppler vascular, ou mesmo invasivos, como a flebografia, podem falhar em seu diagnóstico. O tratamento endovascular dessas obstruções tem se demonstrado eficaz, seguro e associado a excelente resultado clínico e de perviedade, desde que princípios anatômicos e técnicos fundamentais sejam considerados e aplicados.

Abstract Iliac vein obstruction occurs in 20-30% of the general population. In patients with severe chronic venous insufficiency, this prevalence can be even higher, reaching 50-90% when the obstruction is investigated using intravascular ultrasound. Less invasive methods, such as venous Duplex Scanning, and even invasive ones such as venography may fail to diagnose the condition. Endovascular treatment of these obstructions is effective, safe, and associated with excellent clinical outcomes and stent patency rates, provided that fundamental anatomical and technical principles are considered and applied.

Correlation between venous pressure gradients and intravascular ultrasound in the diagnosis of iliac vein compression syndrome

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the correlation between venous pressure gradients (VPGs) and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) for the diagnosis of caval-iliac venous obstructions in patients with advanced chronic venous insufficiency. Methods: Fifty patients with advanced chronic venous insufficiency symptoms (Clinical, Etiology, Anatomy, and Pathophysiology class 3 to 6) were prospectively submitted to multiplanar venography (MV) with intravenous pressure measurements and IVUS. The patients' lower limbs were divided accordingly: group I, limbs with <50% obstruction on IVUS (n » 49); and group II, limbs with $50% obstruction on IVUS (n » 51). Receiver operating characteristic curves compared the diagnostic performance of the VPGs. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy assessed the performance of VPGs in categories to determine the presence of significant obstruction. Logistic regression assessed the capacity of the VPGs to identify significant obstruction. Results: The most frequent point of venous compression according to IVUS was the proximal left common iliac vein (70%; P < .05). Group II showed a greater prevalence of transpelvic (group I, 8.2%; group II, 74.5%; P < .001) and paravertebral collaterals (group I, 4.1%; group II, 45.1%; P < .001) on n MV. The femoral vein pressures at rest and after reactive hyperemia as well as the femorocaval gradient after reactive hyperemia (FCG-rh) and the femoral gradient after reactive hyperemia were significantly higher in group II (P » .001, P < .001, P » .002, and P » .006). The FCG-rh and the femoral gradient after reactive hyperemia presented the best diagnostic performance among the VPGs (P » .004 and P » .007) in n the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, although no significant differences between them were found. All the gradients presented low values of sensitivity (<40%). negative predictive value (<60%). and accuracy (<30%). Logistic regression showed that FCG-rh was significantly independent of MV (OR, 8.1; P » .011) in identifying significant obstructions. Conclusions: There is correlation between the VPGs and significant obstructions with IVUS. However, this correlation does not translate to a good diagnostic performance of these VPGs. Only the FCG-rh added significant information to MV in identifying significant caval-iliac vein obstructions.

Correlation between venous pressure gradients and intravascular ultrasound in the diagnosis of iliac vein compression syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the correlation between venous pressure gradients (VPGs) and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) for the diagnosis of caval-iliac venous obstructions in patients with advanced chronic venous insufficiency. METHODS: Fifty patients with advanced chronic venous insufficiency symptoms (Clinical, Etiology, Anatomy, and Pathophysiology class 3 to 6) were prospectively submitted to multiplanar venography (MV) with intravenous pressure measurements and IVUS. The patients' lower limbs were divided accordingly: group I, limbs with <50% obstruction on IVUS (n = 49); and group II, limbs with ≥50% obstruction on IVUS (n = 51). Receiver operating characteristic curves compared the diagnostic performance of the VPGs. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy assessed the performance of VPGs in categories to determine the presence of significant obstruction. Logistic regression assessed the capacity of the VPGs to identify significant obstruction. RESULTS: The most frequent point of venous compression according to IVUS was the proximal left common iliac vein (70%; P < .05). Group II showed a greater prevalence of transpelvic (group I, 8.2%; group II, 74.5%; P < .001) and paravertebral collaterals (group I, 4.1%; group II, 45.1%; P < .001) on MV. The femoral vein pressures at rest and after reactive hyperemia as well as the femorocaval gradient after reactive hyperemia (FCG-rh) and the femoral gradient after reactive hyperemia were significantly higher in group II (P = .001, P < .001, P = .002, and P = .006). The FCG-rh and the femoral gradient after reactive hyperemia presented the best diagnostic performance among the VPGs (P = .004 and P = .007) in the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, although no significant differences between them were found. All the gradients presented low values of sensitivity (<40%), negative predictive value (<60%), and accuracy (<30%). Logistic regression showed that FCG-rh was significantly independent of MV (OR, 8.1; P = .011) in identifying significant obstructions. CONCLUSIONS: There is correlation between the VPGs and significant obstructions with IVUS. However, this correlation does not translate to a good diagnostic performance of these VPGs. Only the FCG-rh added significant information to MV in identifying significant caval-iliac vein obstructions.

Prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled trial comparing electrocoagulation and radiofrequency in the treatment of patients with great saphenous vein insufficiency and lower limb varicose veins.

OBJECTIVE: Thermoablation has been replacing conventional surgery in the surgical treatment of great saphenous vein (GSV) reflux in patients with lower limb varicose veins; however, thermoablation is expensive. Intravenous electrocoagulation (EC) may, selectively and safely, cause necrosis of the GSV wall, but the clinical results have never been studied. The objective of this study was to compare EC and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in the treatment of GSV insufficiency, considering efficacy, complications, and effect on quality of life. METHODS: This was a prospective, double-blind, randomized clinical trial. Patients with lower limb varicose veins and GSV reflux confirmed by duplex ultrasound were randomized into two treatment groups: EC and RFA. Patients were followed up at 1 week, 3 months, and 6 months after the procedure. Occlusion of the GSV confirmed by duplex ultrasound was considered the primary outcome, and the rate of complications and improvement in quality of life, using the Aberdeen Varicose Vein Questionnaire score, were the secondary outcomes. RESULTS: Fifty-seven patients were included, with a total of 85 treated GSVs; 43 were treated with RFA and 42 with EC. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups regarding age (P = .264), sex (P = .612), Aberdeen Varicose Vein Questionnaire score (P = .054), and diameter (P = .880) and depth (P = .763) of the treated GSV. In the intraoperative period, immediately after thermoablation, all GSVs treated with EC presented no flow and incompressibility in the treated segment, whereas 12 limbs still had flow in the treated GSV (P < .001) and 9 veins showed compressibility (P < .001) when treated with RFA. The main postoperative complication was paresthesia; however, there was no statistical significance between the groups (P = .320) regarding its presence. Time to return to routine activities was lower in the EC group than in the RFA group (P = .026). There was no difference between the groups at the 3-month (P = .157) and 6-month (P = .157) follow-up in occlusion of the GSV and improvement of the quality of life score (P = .786 and P = .401, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: EC has been shown to be an effective method for ablation of the GSV, with venous occlusion rate, occurrence of complications, and effect on quality of life similar to those with RFA.

Prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled trial comparing electrocoagulation and radiofrequency in the treatment of patients with great saphenous vein insufficiency and lower limb varicose veins

OBJECTIVE: Thermoablation has been replacing conventional surgery in the surgical treatment of great saphenous vein (GSV) reflux in patients with lower limb varicose veins; however, thermoablation is expensive. Intravenous electrocoagulation (EC) may, selectively and safely, cause necrosis of the GSV wall, but the clinical results have never been studied. The objective of this study was to compare EC and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in the treatment of GSV insufficiency, considering efficacy, complications, and effect on quality of life.METHODS:This was a prospective, double-blind, randomized clinical trial. Patients with lower limb varicose veins and GSV reflux confirmed by duplex ultrasound were randomized into two treatment groups: EC and RFA. Patients were followed up at 1 week, 3 months, and 6 months after the procedure. Occlusion of the GSV confirmed by duplex ultrasound was considered the primary outcome, and the rate of complications and improvement in quality of life, using the Aberdeen Varicose Vein Questionnaire score, were the secondary outcomes...

Tratamento endovascular de aneurisma de aorta abdominal com fístula aorto-cava utilizando oclusor vascular concomitante a endoprótese bifurcada: relato de caso / Endovascular treatment of an abdominal aortic aneurysm with aortocaval fistula using a vascular occluder and a bifurcated endograft in a single intervention: case report

As fístulas aorto-cava são entidades raras e de etiologia variada, estando frequentemente associadas a significativa morbimortalidade. Acredita-se que o aumento da tensão da parede nos grandes aneurismas resulte em reação inflamatória e aderência à veia adjacente, culminando na erosão das camadas aderidas e na formação da fístula. O tratamento cirúrgico convencional tem altas taxas de mortalidade. Embolia pulmonar paradoxal e o vazamento são complicações temidas do tratamento endovascular. O uso de oclusor vascular associado a endoprótese bifurcada é boa opção no tratamento do aneurisma de aorta abdominal com fístula aorto-cava

Aortocaval fistulae are rare entities with a variety of etiologies and are very often associated with significant morbidity and mortality. It is believed that increased tension in the walls of large aneurysms can cause an inflammatory reaction resulting in adhesion to the adjacent vein and culminating in erosion of the adherent layers and fistula formation. Conventional surgical treatment has high mortality rates. Paradoxical pulmonary embolism and endoleaks are the most concerning complications linked with endovascular treatment. Using a vascular occluder in combination with a bifurcated endograft is a good option for the treatment of an abdominal aortic aneurysm with aortocaval fistula

Endovascular treatment of an abdominal aortic aneurysm with aortocaval fistula using a vascular occluder and a bifurcated endograft in a single intervention: case report

Aortocaval fistulae are rare entities with a variety of etiologies and are very often associated with significant morbidity and mortality. It is believed that increased tension in the walls of large aneurysms can cause an inflammatory reaction resulting in adhesion to the adjacent vein and culminating in erosion of the adherent layers and fistula formation. Conventional surgical treatment has high mortality rates. Paradoxical pulmonary embolism and endoleaks are the most concerning complications linked with endovascular treatment. Using a vascular occluder in combination with a bifurcated endograft is a good option for the treatment of an abdominal aortic aneurysm with aortocaval fistula.

Criteria for detecting significant chronic iliac venous obstructions with duplex ultrasound.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the sonographic criteria for diagnosis of iliac venous outflow obstruction by assessing the correlation of this method with intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) in patients with advanced chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). METHODS: The evaluation included 15 patients (30 limbs; age, 49.4 ± 10.7 years; 1 man) with initial CVI symptoms (Clinical class, Etiology, Anatomy, and Pathophysiology [CEAP] classification, CEAP1-2) in group I (GI) and 51 patients (102 limbs; age, 50.53 ± 14.5 years; 6 men) with advanced CVI symptoms (CEAP3-6) in group II (GII). Patients from both groups were matched by gender, age, and race. The Venous Clinical Severity Score was considered. All patients underwent structured interviews and duplex ultrasound (DU) examination, measuring the flow phasicity, the femoral volume flows and velocities, and the velocity and obstruction ratios in the iliac vein. The reflux multisegment score was analyzed in both groups. Three independent observers evaluated individuals in GI. GII patients were submitted to IVUS, in which the area of the impaired venous segments was obtained and compared with the DU results and then grouped into three categories: obstructions <50%, obstructions between 50% and 79%, and obstructions ≥80%. RESULTS: The predominant clinical severity CEAP class was C1 in 24 of 30 limbs (80%) in GI and C3 in 54 of 102 limbs (52.9%) in GII. Reflux was severe (reflux multisegment score ≥3) in 3 of 30 limbs (10%) in GI and in 45 of 102 limbs (44.1%) in GII (P < .001). There was a moderately high agreement between DU and IVUS findings when they were grouped into three categories (κ = 0.598; P < .001) and high agreement when they were grouped into two categories (obstructions <50% and ≥50%; κ = 0.784; P < .001). The best cutoff points and their correlation with IVUS were 0.9 for the velocity index (r = -0.634; P < .001), 0.7 for the flow index (r = -0.623; P < .001), 0.5 for the obstruction ratio (r = 0.750; P < .001), and 2.5 for the velocity ratio (r = 0.790; P < .001). Absence of flow phasicity was observed in 62.5% of patients with obstructions ≥80%. An ultrasound algorithm was created using the measures and the described cutoff points with accuracy of 86.7% for detecting significant obstructions (≥50%) with high agreement (κ = 0.73; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: DU presented high agreement with IVUS for detection of obstructions ≥50%. The velocity ratio in obstructions ≥2.5 is the best criterion for detection of significant venous outflow obstructions in iliac veins.