Racial disparities in the outcomes of superficial vein treatments for chronic venous insufficiency.

BACKGROUND: Chronic venous disease (CVD) affects >20 million people in the United States. Despite this huge prevalence, there are few data on whether the effectiveness of current CVD therapies for symptomatic superficial vein reflux is affected by race. The goal of this investigation was to evaluate CVD treatment outcomes in various races in the United States. METHODS: From January 2015 to December 2017, we retrospectively reviewed and prospectively collected data from 66,621 patients who presented for CVD evaluation. We divided patients into five racial groups: African American, Asian, Hispanic, other (race not recorded), and white. Presenting signs and symptoms, treatment modalities, number of procedures per patient, and preintervention and postintervention revised Venous Clinical Severity Scores (rVCSSs) were evaluated. All racial groups were stratified by Clinical, Etiology, Anatomy, and Pathophysiology (CEAP) class for subgroup analysis. RESULTS: The average age of the entire cohort was 56.8 ± 14.7 years, with 51,393 women (77%) and 15,228 men (23%). Prevalence by race was 17% African American, 3% Asian, 18% Hispanic, 8% others, and 55% white. There was a higher incidence of C0 disease in whites (44%) and African Americans (31%); C1 and C2 disease in whites (46% and 55%) and Hispanics (28% and 25%); and C3, C4, C5, and C6 disease in whites (60%, 57%, 58%, and 61%) and African Americans (19%, 17%, 19%, and 21%). Pain as an initial presenting symptom was more common in African Americans, Asians, and Hispanics (29%, 29%, and 31%). Swelling was highest in African Americans (18%) and cramping in Hispanics (14%). Skin changes and venous ulcers were most common in African Americans (16% and 21%) and whites (63% and 61%). With regard to the average number of procedures performed, Hispanics (1.98 ± 1.24) and others (2.07 ± 1.25) required fewer stand-alone ablations compared with whites (2.31 ± 1.56), Asians (2.36 ± 1.58), and African Americans (2.27 ± 1.56; P ≤ .0001. With the addition of phlebectomies to ablations, Hispanics (3.78 ± 2.08) continued to require fewer procedures, and Asians required the greatest number of phlebectomies compared with all groups (P ≤ .001). When ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy was added to ablation and phlebectomy, African Americans required more procedures compared with all races (4.38 ± 2.59; P ≤ .01). For stand-alone ablations, Hispanics (2.18 ± 2.34) and Asians (1.91 ± 2.35) demonstrated lower postprocedure rVCSSs compared with African Americans (2.79 ± 2.88) and whites (2.8 ± 2.85; P ≤ .0001). For ablations with phlebectomies, all races demonstrated similar results except for Hispanics (2.19 ± 2.14), who did better than whites (2.85 ± 2.75; P ≤ .002). For ablations with phlebectomies and ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy, all races had similar results (P ≤ .0001). CONCLUSIONS: In the United States, CVD is primarily observed in white women. There are differences in the incidence and prevalence of disease severity and symptom presentation based on race. The incidence of CVD decreases with age in all racial groups except whites. Hispanics required the fewest procedures and African Americans required the most for optimal results. Postintervention rVCSSs equalized in all races when ablations were combined with phlebectomies and ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy.

Iliac Vein Stenting for Chronic Proximal Venous Outflow Obstruction in a Predominantly Asian-American Cohort.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the outcome of vein stenting placement for chronic proximal venous outflow obstruction (PVOO) in a predominantly Asian-American cohort to improve patient selection, enhance technical approach, and better define quality measurements of this emerging vascular intervention. METHODS: A total of 462 consecutive patients, 73% Asian American (n = 336), who underwent iliac vein stenting for chronic PVOO from October 2013 to July 2016 were reviewed. Postoperative outcomes at five follow-up visits were assessed. Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were run for demographic and operative variables. Ordered logistic regressions were run for the outcome at each time point, and Chi-squared tests as well as Fisher's exact tests were used for categorical variables. RESULTS: Follow-up was maintained in 90% of patients, with a mean follow-up time of 695 days. Asian-American patients were more likely to present with varicose veins (77.4% vs. 54.8%, P < 0.001), and non-Asian patients were more likely to present with active ulceration (26.2% vs. 5.1%, P < 0.001). Asian-American patients were more likely to have bilateral stents placed (61.6% vs. 50%, P = 0.026) and were less likely to have reinterventions (11.3% vs. 27.8%, P < 0.001), a history of deep vein thrombosis (8.3% vs. 29.4%, P < 0.001), or intraoperative findings of chronic postphlebitic changes (17.6% vs. 33.3%, P < 0.001). Kruskal-Wallis tests were significant for improvement in patients of all the Clinical, Etiology, Anatomy, Pathophysiology classes at 30 days (P = 0.041), 90 days (P = 0.045), 6 months (P = 0.041), and 1 year (P < 0.01). The Asian-American population had improved but comparatively lower follow-up scores at the 30-day mark (48% significantly improved or better vs. 63%, P = 0.008) but higher follow-up scores at the >1 year mark (80% significantly improved or better vs. 59%, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Asian-American patients undergoing vein stent placement for chronic PVOO had comparatively worse outcomes than non-Asian patients at 30 days and better outcomes after one year. These patient groups had different outcomes postoperatively and outcomes which evolve differently over time.

ClariVein™ - One year results of mechano-chemical ablation for varicose veins in a multi-ethnic Asian population from Singapore.

OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the effectiveness and patient experience of ClariVein for varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) in a multi-ethnic Asian population from Singapore. METHODS: A total of 121 patients underwent mechano-chemical ablation. Patients were reviewed at an interval of one week, and at 3, 6 and 12 months post procedure and underwent Duplex ultrasound with patient satisfaction assessment. RESULTS: At three months of follow-up, the great saphenous vein and short saphenous vein occlusion rates were 90.8% and 96.0%, respectively. At six months of follow-up, the GSV and short saphenous vein occlusion rates were 86.9% and 90.9%, respectively. At one year, great saphenous vein and short saphenous vein occlusion rates were 84.8% and 94.3%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Early results are similar to what is described so far in the mechano-chemical ablation literature but recurrences are more than expected at one year. This is disappointing but is tempered by the fact that the majority of patients were asymptomatic and required no reintervention.

Demographic and clinical features do not affect the outcome of combined endovenous therapy to treat leg swelling.

Background There have been well-documented implications of race/ethnicity on the outcome of various vascular diseases, yet there are limited data on risk factors and outcome of lower limb swelling. While many patients improve with endovenous therapy (thermal ablation or iliac vein stenting), some patients' symptoms persist. The goal of this study was to identify clinical factors including race/ethnicity related to persistent leg swelling after treatment with both iliac vein stenting and thermal ablation. Methods From February 2012 to February 2014, this observational study analyzed data for 173 patients with chronic venous insufficiency who underwent both iliac vein stent placement as well as thermal ablation (radiofrequency ablation or endovenous laser ablation). All procedures of the thermal ablations and the iliac vein stenting were staged. Iliac vein stenosis was identified using intravascular ultrasound of the iliofemoral venous segment showing >50% cross-sectional area or diameter reduction. The patients were queried to the resolution of their leg swelling after both procedures were performed. The resolution of swelling was correlated with age, gender, presenting sign according to CEAP classification, race/ethnicity and degree of iliac vein stenosis. Patients were categorized by Caucasians ( n = 97), African Americans ( n = 27), or Hispanics ( n = 49). Statistical analysis performed using Chi-square and Student's t test. Results Of the total 173 patients who underwent both endovenous closure and iliac vein stent placements, 117 (67.6%) patients were women. The average age was 67 (±13 SD) years. The average pain score was 2.9(±3.1 SD). The average degree of iliac vein stenosis was 66.5(±13.3 SD). About 56.1% were Caucasians, 15.6% were African Americans, and 28.3% were Hispanics. The number of patients with iliac vein stent thrombosis was 2. One hundred fifty-two (87.9%) patients stated that they had improvement in swelling after combined procedures, 100 (65.8%) patients were women. The average age was 67.3 (±13 SD) years. The average pain score was 2.9 (±3.1 SD). The average degree of iliac vein stenosis was 67.3% (±12.8 SD). About 56.6% were Caucasians, 15.1% were African Americans, and 28.3% were Hispanics. The number of patients with iliac vein stent thrombosis was 1. Twenty-one (12.1%) patients stated they had no improvement after both procedures. Correlating these group factors with the group of patients who improved their swelling after the combined procedures we found the following: 17 (81%) of these patients were females ( P=0.16). The average age was 68.4 (±17 SD) years ( P=0.72 SD). The average pain score was 3.2 (±3.7 SD) ( P=0.68). The average degree of iliac vein stenosis was 60.2% (±15.9 SD) ( P=0.02). Around 52.4% were Caucasians, 19% were African Americans, and 28.6% were Hispanics ( P=0.88). The number of patients with iliac vein stent thrombosis was 1 ( P = 0.1). Conclusion These data suggest that the clinical factors including race are not clinically significant factors in the response to swelling after combined iliac stent and endovenous ablation procedures. Interestingly, a higher degree of iliac vein stenosis was associated with improved resolution of swelling.

Is there an effect of race/ethnicity on early complications of iliac vein stenting?

Background There have been well-documented implications of race/ethnicity on the outcome of various vascular diseases. Little literature has examined the effect of race/ethnicity on venous disease. Iliac vein stenting is an emerging technology in treating chronic venous insufficiency. To further characterize this disease and its treatment, we chose to study the effect of selected clinical factors including race/ethnicity on the early complications of non-thrombotic iliac vein stenting. Methods In this observational study, data analysis was performed for 623 patients with chronic venous insufficiency who underwent iliac vein stenting during the time period from August 2012 to September 2014. Patients were categorized by Caucasians ( n = 396), African Americans ( n = 89), Hispanics ( n = 138), and others ( n = 23). These were correlated with the age, gender, presenting sign according to CEAP classification, percentage of iliac vein stenosis, post-operative thrombosis and pain score. Pain score was obtained post-operatively on a Likert scale of 0-10. Follow-up was performed after completion of the procedure, through post-operative visits and duplex exams every three months for the first year. Statistical analysis was performed using Chi-square and Student's t-test, Pearson's test and multivariate regression. Results The average age of the study patients was 67.8 years (age range 23-96 years, ± 14.2 SD). Sixty-seven patients were women. The presenting sign according to CEAP classification was (C3 = 331, C4 = 175, C5 = 51, C6 = 66). The average pain score was 2.6 (±2.9 SD). The average degree of stenosis was 64.9% (±3.8 SD). There were insufficient numbers in the "other" race/ethnicity group for further analysis. The number of patients with iliac vein stent thrombosis was 14 (2.2%). When analyzing each race/ethnicity in our dataset with univariate analysis, we found that Caucasians were significantly older than the African Americans and Hispanics ( P < 0.0001). There tended to be more women in the Caucasian group as compared to the Hispanics ( P = 0.04). There were no differences in presenting sign according to CEAP classification or degree of stenosis between the three groups. Hispanics tended to have higher pain scores post-operatively than Caucasians ( P = 0.01). It was found that 1.8% of Caucasians, 3.4% of African Americans and 2.9% of Hispanics had post-operative iliac vein stent thrombosis ( P = 0.55). Men have higher CEAP score than women regardless of race/ethnicity ( P = 0.0001). On the other hand, women tended to have higher pain score than men ( P = 0.04). There were no differences between men and women regarding age, degree of stenosis, and stent thrombosis. Linear multivariate regression test and Pearson's test revealed that age is inversely related to pain score ( P < 0.0001). ANOVA multivariate regression statistical analysis showed no relation between race/ethnicity and pain score ( P = 0.98), and one-way ANOVA showed that the Caucasians were the eldest ethnic group in the study ( P < 0.0001). Linear multivariate regression test and Pearson's correlation test revealed that race/ethnicity is not correlated with thrombosis of iliac vein after stenting ( P = 0.8). Conclusion Race/ethnicity is not significantly associated with CEAP score, degree of iliac vein stenosis, or post-operative thrombosis or pain scores. Age was inversely associated with pain score after iliac vein stenting.

Advanced Chronic Venous Insufficiency.

INTRODUCTION: Intervention for advanced chronic venous insufficiency is considered an appropriate standard of care. However, outcomes vary among patients who present in advanced clinical stages of disease. The main objectives of this study were to determine whether racial disparity exists at initial presentation and response to intervention. METHODS: A retrospective database was created to include all radiofrequency ablation procedures performed by a single surgeon from January 14, 2009, through May 25, 2011. Demographics, clinical traits, race, procedure, and outcomes were analyzed. Stepwise model selection reduced candidate baseline factors to a final parsimonious model, which was analyzed using analysis of variance. RESULTS: The database consisted of 300 patients with a predominant female (n = 215, 85%) base and 85 (15%) males, with a mean age distribution of 53 years. The mean body mass index was 30.2. Racial distribution revealed Asian (n = 9, 3.3%), Pacific Islander (n = 1, 0.4%), African American (n = 37, 13.6%), and Caucasian (CAU, n = 225, 82.7%). African Americans presented with more advanced clinical stages than the CAU group-C2: African American 21.6%, CAU 36.7%; C4: African American 35%, CAU 24.3%; and C6: African American 35.1%, CAU 7.5%. African Americans demonstrated a higher preoperative venous clinical severity score (VCSS) than their CAU counterparts. Postprocedural decrease in VCSS score was lower in African Americans than their CAU counterparts. CONCLUSION: African American patients present with more advanced venous insufficiency than CAUs. Postprocedural analysis reveals not only slower ulcer healing times but also higher ulcer recurrence rates.

The Impact of Race on Advanced Chronic Venous Insufficiency.

BACKGROUND: The study aimed to determine the association between race and patient variables, hospital covariates, and outcomes in patients presenting with advanced chronic venous insufficiency. METHODS: The National Inpatient Sample was queried to identify all Caucasian and African-American patients with a primary International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) diagnosis code for venous stasis with ulceration (454.0), inflammation (454.1), or complications (454.2) from 1998 to 2011. CEAP scores were correlated with ICD-9 diagnosis. Demographics, CEAP classification, management, cost of care, length of stay (LOS), and inpatient mortality were compared between races. Statistical analysis was via descriptive statistics, Student's t-test, and the Fisher's exact test. Trend analysis was completed using the Mann-Kendall test. RESULTS: A total of 20,648 patients were identified of which 85% were Caucasian and 15% were African-American. Debridement procedures had the highest costs at $6,096 followed by skin grafting at $4,089. There was an overall decrease in the number of ulcer debridements, vein stripping, and sclerotherapy procedures between 1998 and 2011 (P < 0.05) for both groups. However, African-American patients had significantly more ulcer debridements than their Caucasian counterparts. CONCLUSIONS: African-American patients with a primary diagnosis of venous stasis present with more advanced venous disease at a younger age compared with their Caucasian counterparts. This is associated with increased ulcer debridement, deep vein thrombosis rates and hospital charges in the African-American cohort. There are no differences in sclerotherapy or skin grafting procedures, LOS or inpatient mortality between races.

Efficacy of gradual pressure-decline compressing stockings in Asian patients with lower leg varicose veins: analysis by general measurements and magnetic resonance image.

AIM: Most applications of gradual pressure-decline compressing stockings (GPDCS) are used in the United States and Western European countries, with over a decade of clinical experiments. Up to know, there is no standard establishment of gradual pressure-decline compressing stockings for Asian patients with venous insufficiency and varicose vein formations. METHODS: We collected data on volunteer candidates of varicose vein for general measurements and assessments and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) by non-contrast enhanced MRV techniques, and for post processing data analysis. RESULTS: Clinical use of GPCDS provide a mild to moderate improvement in the varicose vein conditions of patients with deep venous insufficiency by improving their deep vein circulation, by general measurements; recording major symptoms and complaint; comfort and stretching/flexibility to the candidates after using GPDCS; and area changes/flow velocity changes/available hemoglobin changes in deep veins monitored by MRI. CONCLUSION: The benefits and data collected in these results may help in developing compression stockings standards in Taiwanese and Asian countries, and to establishing criterias for product sizes, compression levels, and related parameters.

Clinical presentation and patterns of venous reflux in Thai patients with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI).

OBJECTIVE: To study the extent of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) in Thai patients by assessing venous clinical severity scores (VCSSs), venous disability scores (VDSs) and prevalence of lower limb venous reflux in a cohort of patients attending a vascular surgery clinic. DESIGN: Prospective comparative cohort study. MATERIAL: All patients presenting with CVI (Clinical, Etiology, Anatomy and Pathophysiology (CEAP) C4-6) in our vascular surgery clinic between October 2006 and December 2008 were enrolled and compared with the same number of control patients. METHOD: A standardised interview was conducted to document each patient's history of venous disease, VCSS and VDS. Duplex ultrasonography of selected superficial and deep veins was performed. RESULTS: There were 41 patients, mean age 58 years and a mean body mass index (BMI) of 26.7. Of 58 limbs, 35%, 19% and 47% were of CEAP clinical stages C4, C5 and C6, respectively. Previous deep vein thrombosis (DVT) was reported by 7% and major leg trauma by 9% of patients. The mean VCSS was 9.7 and mean VDS was 1.0. VDS 2 or 3 were found in 10% of patients. The VCSS 2 and 3 for pain, oedema and inflammation were found in 22%, 26% and 0% of C6 legs. The prevalence of combined superficial and deep vein reflux was 71%. The prevalence of isolated superficial and deep vein reflux were 8% and 17%, respectively. One patient had iliac vein occlusion. Compared with the control group, risk factors that were found to be significant were physical findings of varicose veins, history of leg trauma, standing posture and BMI. CONCLUSIONS: Thai patients with CVI were relatively young. Visible varicose veins, pain, oedema and inflammation were uncommon and most patients could maintain their usual activities despite advanced venous disease. An association with obesity was not common. Despite a low prevalence of a history of previous DVT, the prevalence of deep vein reflux was high and commonly combined with superficial venous reflux.

The incidence of raised procoagulant factors and hyperhomocysteinaemia in Chinese patients with chronic venous insufficiency.

BACKGROUND: For reasons that are poorly understood, there appear to be differences in the prevalence of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) and venous thromboembolism between Caucasians and Asians. OBJECTIVES: To compare levels of procoagulant factors and homocysteine (Hcy) in Hong Kong (HK) Chinese and United Kingdom (UK) Caucasian populations of patients with CVI (patients of CEAP clinical stages C4 - C6). METHODS: HK Chinese and UK Caucasian patients with CEAP clinical grade 4-6 venous disease were enrolled. Patients with conditions known to be associated with thrombophilia (TP) were excluded. UK and HK patients were matched by gender, age (within 5 years) and by CEAP clinical grade. All subjects underwent clinical examination, venous duplex ultrasound, and measurement of Hcy and factors (F) VIII, IX and XI. RESULTS: 63 Patients were enrolled in each group: Mean age 64y (HK group); 67y (UK group). 37% were female; 19% had active venous ulceration. One-third of patients in each group had deep venous reflux. High Hcy, FIX and FXI were significantly more common in the UK group. Multiple TP was more common in the UK group: raised levels of >or=2 factors in 26 vs. 14 patients (P = 0.022, chi(2)). Median Hcy (14.3 vs. 10.8 micromol/L; P < 0.0005, Wilcoxon signed rank [WSR]), FIX (131 vs. 115%; P = 0.048), and FXI (114 vs. 97%; P = 0.002) were significantly higher in the UK group. There was no significant difference in FVIII levels. CONCLUSIONS: Raised procoagulant factors were more common in Caucasians compared with Chinese patients with CVI in this study. As with the inherited thrombophilias, the pattern of raised procoagulant factors in Chinese patients appears to differ from that in Caucasians.

Quantified duplex augmentation in healthy subjects and patients with venous disease: San Diego population study.

OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken to determine the quantitative augmentation response in several veins examined in a cohort assembled to permit comparisons by sex, age, and ethnicity, under normal conditions and in the presence of obstruction, with and without trophic changes. METHOD: The common femoral vein, superficial femoral vein, sapheno-femoral junction, popliteal vein, sapheno-popliteal junction, and posterior tibial vein were studied with duplex ultrasonographic scanning. Augmentation response was elicited with use of an automated cuff inflator. Mean level of each response was analyzed according to patient sex, age, and ethnicity, each adjusted for the other two. Normal values were compared with those obtained from legs with venous obstructive disease, with or without signs of trophic changes. RESULTS: Decreased augmentation response was noted only in the sapheno-femoral junction and sapheno-popliteal junction, and was smaller in women. Augmentation response was slightly increased in the oldest age group (>70 years) in the common femoral vein, superficial femoral vein, popliteal vein, and posterior tibial vein. The highest augmentation response was found in Asian subjects, in the common and superficial femoral veins and the sapheno-femoral and sapheno-popliteal junctions; and the smallest augmentation response was found in African American subjects, in these same veins and junctions. Differences in vein diameters may explain these findings, ie, smaller diameters in Asians and larger diameters in African Americans. Most important, compared with normal values, augmentation response was decreased in legs with venous obstructive disease only when trophic changes were present. CONCLUSION: Like quantification of reflux, quantitative evaluation of the augmentation response may help in diagnosis of venous obstructive disease when trophic changes are present.

Venous reflux in symptom-free vascular surgeons.

PURPOSE: Work posture and occupation are among the most controversial predisposing factors associated with venous disease. We examined the distribution and extent of venous reflux in the lower extremities of symptom-free vascular surgeons, who were typically classified as leading a life of prolonged standing, in comparison to a group of symptom-free volunteers. METHODS: In this prospective study (January 1991 to April 1994), the venous system in the lower limb veins of 28 vascular surgeons (56 limbs) and 25 normal volunteers (50 limbs) was examined by color-flow duplex imaging. The two groups were matched for age (29 to 45 years) and sex (all men). Subjects with clinical signs and symptoms of venous disease, history of deep or superficial vein thrombosis, or previous venous operation or injection sclerotherapy were not included in the study (12 vascular surgeons). RESULTS: Venous reflux was detected in 29 limbs of vascular surgeons (52%) and in 16 limbs of the control group (32%) (chi-squared test = 4.232, p = 0.039). In the latter, superficial venous incompetence was detected in 9 of 50 limbs (18%), deep venous or perforator incompetence in 3 of 50 limbs (6%), and venous incompetence involving both the superficial and deep systems in 4 of 50 limbs (8%). In the group of vascular surgeons, reflux in the superficial veins was seen in 22 of 56 limbs (39%), in the deep and or perforating veins in 4 of 56 limbs (7%), and in both the superficial and deep veins in 3 of 56 limbs (5%). Superficial venous reflux was more frequently encountered in the limbs of 45% of vascular surgeons (25 of 56) than in the limbs of the control subjects 26% (13 of 50) (chi-squared test = 3.99, p = 0.047). Distal long saphenous vein reflux alone accounted for 39% (5 of 13) of any superficial venous incompetence in the limbs of the control subjects, and was higher, at 48% (12/25), in the vascular surgeons. Reflux in the gastrocnemial veins was equally distributed between the limbs of the control subjects (10%) and the vascular surgeons (11%). CONCLUSIONS: Venous reflux was more frequently seen among symptom-free vascular surgeons than normal individuals of a nonmedical vocation. The superficial system was by far the most common site of venous incompetence in both groups. Below-knee-long saphenous vein reflux in any combination was present in more than 75% of the limbs with superficial venous incompetence.

Chronic venous insufficiency in a Chinese population: an anatomic and functional study by continuous-wave Doppler and photoplethysmography.

A total of 1583 limbs in 878 patients who presented with symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency of the lower limbs were examined in the vascular laboratory. The anatomic distribution of valvular insufficiency was determined by continuous-wave Doppler ultrasound and functional severity was determined by the venous refilling time (VRT) using photoplethysmography. Severity of reflux was assessed using a four-class grading scale (classes 0 to 3) based on clinical and VRT criteria. A mixed incompetence of the valves in the superficial system and the perforators was encountered in the majority of patients (44% in class 0 and 85% in class 3). Deep vein incompetence was less common and usually consisted of isolated proximal incompetence of the common femoral vein (up to 32% in class 3) or was of a mixed type (21% in class 3). Isolated distal deep vein incompetence was uncommon. Proximal femoral vein incompetence and superficial system incompetence at the saphenofemoral junction were associated with severe reflux. There was significant improvement in the VRT in patients with more severe reflux (class 2 or 3) after application of an ankle tourniquet. Symptoms of moderate to severe chronic venous insufficiency and ankle ulceration may be a result of long-standing superficial system incompetence rather than deep venous disease and may thus be amendable to simple saphenofemoral ligation and interruption of perforators.