Chronic venous insufficiency, could it be one of the missing pieces in the puzzle of treating pain?

Pain is a common complaint among patients seeking medical care.If left un-treated,pain can become chronic,significantly affecting patients’quality of life.An accurate diagnosis of the underlying cause of pain is crucial for effective treatment.Chronic venous insufficiency(CVI)is frequently overlooked by pain physicians.Moreover,many pain physicians lack sufficient knowledge about CVI.CVI is a common condition resulting from malfunctioning or damaged valves in lower limb veins.Symptoms of CVI,ranging from mild to severe,include pain,heaviness,fatigue,itching,swelling,skin color changes,and ulcers in the lower limbs.Recently,it has become more widely known that these symptoms can be attributed to CVI.Even slight or mild CVI can cause related symptoms.Pain physicians primarily consider neuromusculoskeletal disorders when assessing patients with leg pain,and often neglect the possibility of CVI.In clinical practice,when pain physicians encounter patients with unresolved leg pain,they must assess whether the patients exhibit symptoms of CVI and conduct tests to differ-entiate CVI from other potential causes.

Double-Blind, Parallel Group Study to Compare the Clinical Effectiveness of Calcium Dobesilate 500 mg BID vs. Calcium Dobesilate LP 1 g OD, in Patients with Chronic Venous Insufficiency of the Lower Limbs

Background: Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) describes a condition that affects the venous system of the lower extremities due to venous hypertension (VH. The prevalence is between 5% - 30%. CVI is associated with older age, smoking, lower extremity trauma, presence of an arteriovenous shunt, and elevated estrogen levels. All patients should be initially treated with conservative management. Venoactive drugs like calcium dobesilate are useful. Objectives: The primary objective compared the clinical improvement in patients with CVI, grades 0 - 3 of the CEAP classification of chronic venous disease, produced by two formulations of calcium dobesilate: calcium dobesilate LP 1 g OD vs calcium dobesilate 500 mg BID, immediate release. The secondary objective assessed the side effects of both formulations. Method: All patients took one tablet and one capsule at 7 am, and one capsule at 7 pm, for 8 weeks. One group received dobesilate 1 g OD and the other group received dobesilate 500 md BID. They were evaluated after 15, 30 and 60 days of treatment, using the symptom evaluation scale. Results: In both groups, there was a significant decrease in the symptom score after 15 days. Four patients in the Dobesilate OD group: had adverse effects, which did not require suspension of treatment. In the BID dobesilate group, there was one therapeutic failure, and one case of gastric discomfort. Conclusions: Prolonged-release Calcium dobesilate 1 g OD is as effective as calcium dobesilate 500 mg BID for the treatment of patients with chronic venous insufficiency.

Strategies and challenges in treatment of varicose veins and venous insufficiency

Patients with varicose veins can be treated with conservative or surgical approaches based on the clinical conditions and patient preferences.In the recent decade,the recommendations for managing symptomatic varicose veins have changed dramatically due to the rise of minimally invasive endovascular techniques.The literature was systematically searched on Medline without language restrictions.All papers on the treatment of varicose veins and venous insufficiency with different procedures were included and reviewed.Endovenous laser ablation(EVLA)and radiofrequency ablation(RFA)both are same safe and effective in terms of occlusion rate,and time to return to normal activity.In comparison with RFA or EVLT,Cure conservatrice et Hemodynamique de l’Insufficience Veineuse en Ambulatoire(CHIVA)may cause more bruising and make little or no difference to rates of limb infection,superficial vein thrombosis,nerve injury,or hematoma.In terms of recurrence of varicose veins,there is little or no difference between CHIVA and stripping,RFA,or EVLT.Great saphenous vein recanalization is highest in the ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy(FS)group(51%)during 1 year of follow-up.The 2013 National Institute for Health and Care Excellence clinical guidelines recommend surgery as a third-line therapeutic option after EVLA or RFA and sclerotherapy.Although the mechanochemical endovenous ablation(MOCA)is a non-thermal,non-tumescent option and appears to be of similar efficacy to stab avulsion with no potential risk of nerve damage,the overall success rate of MOCA is lower than those of other procedures such as EVLA,RFA,or high ligation and stripping.EVLA is the most cost-effective therapeutic option,with RFA being a close second for the treatment of patients with varicose veins.Endovenous thermal ablation(EVLA or RFA)is recommended as a first-line treatment for varicose veins and has substituted the high ligation of saphenofemoral junctional reflux and stripping of varicose veins.Ultrasound-guided FS is associated with a high recurrence rate and can be used in conjunction with other procedures.MOCA and cyanoacrylate embolization appear promising,but evidence of their effectiveness is required.

Comparison of 1470 nm Radial Fiber Laser Ablation and Radiofrequency Ablation in Endovascular Treatment of Venous Insufficiency

Background: In this study, we aimed to compare the results of endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in patients with lower extremity venous insufficiency due to great saphenous vein (GSV) reflux on efficiency, patient comfort and postoperative morbidity. Methods: Endovascular approach in treatment of GSV insufficiency was performed in 283 patients between 2011 and 2014 at our clinic. In group 1, EVLA was performed on 149 patients (42 male, 107 female;mean age 46.90 ± 11.43) and in group 2, RFA was performed on 134 patients (41 male, 93 female;mean age 47.02 ± 12.58). The results were compared in terms of local pain, ecchymosis, paresthesia, venous clinic severity score (VCSS), length of GSV that process performed, efficiency and Clinical Etiology Anatomy Pathophysiology (CEAP) classification data. Results: GSV diameter at saphenofemoral junction level was 10.65 ± 3.72 mm and 11.29 ± 3.78 mm in group 1 and 2, respectively. Length of GSV that process performed was 38.97 ± 6.88 cm in group 1 and 41.83 ± 4.82 cm in group 2. Postoperatively burn, pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep venous thrombosis (DVT) were not observed in both groups. Postoperative complications in group 1 were hematoma formation in 2 (1.3%) patients, ecchymosis in 13 (8.7%) patients, edema in 21 (14.1%) patients and paresthesia in 10 (6.7%) patients. Postoperative complications in group 2 were hematoma formation in 1 (0.7%) patient, ecchymosis in 8 (6%) patients, edema in 12 (9%) patients and paresthesia in 6 (4.5%) patients. The efficiency of the process was 96.6% in EVLA group and 98.5% in RFA group. Conclusion: We conclude that both RFA and 1470 nm radial fiber EVLA procedures are effective and reliable techniques in treatment of GSV insufficiency. No significant difference was found between two techniques in terms of efficiency and postoperative morbidity.

PATHOLOGIC CHANGES OF MUSCLE IN VENOUS INSUFFICIENCY

The pathologic changes in the muscle biopsy specimens of 26 patients with venous insufficiency were studied A total of 19 biopsied specimens of the gastrocnemius exhibited pathologic change, 9 patients had selective atrophy of type 2 fibre, 4 patients had denervative change,and 6 patients had evidence of myopathic change, but specimens removed from adductor longus muscle of patients as the control group revealed no significant change. The results suggest that chronic venous insufficiency results in muscle pathologic changes. The combined effect of elevated venous capacitance secondary to venous insufficiency and poor muscle contraction contributes to venous hypertention.

Case Report of a Chronic Wound Due to Venous Insufficiency Following a Traumatic Arteriovenous Fistula

Chronic lower limb wounds are common. They can be of arterial or venous origin. In this article, we will present a clinical case of a 30-year-old patient with a chronic injury to the right medial malleolus. In his history, we can note a gunshot wound to the right leg. Ultrasonography and CT angiography helped in the diagnosis of traumatic arteriovenous fistula. The patient underwent a fistula embolization which allowed the wound to heal. The clinical presentation, additional examinations and the latest treatment recommendations will be discussed in this article.

Application of the preventive treatment theory of traditional Chinese medicine in the prevention and treatment of chronic venous insufficiency of lower extremity

Chronic venous insufficiency is characterized by high incidence,difficult treatment and high recurrence rate.Traditional Chinese Medicine Preventive Treatment Theory is one of the important core contents in the theory of TCM.By using the theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Preventive Treatment,using the theory of“prevention before illness,prevention the disease continues to change and prevention repeated when the disease has been cured”,can reduce the incidence rate effectively,improve the effect of clinical treatment,it is also to enrich and develop the theory of Traditional Chinese Medicine Preventive Treatment.

Prosthetic venous valves for chronic venous insufficiency:Advancements and future design directions

With the serious aging population and lifestyle changes,chronic venous insufficiency accounts for approximately 25.95%of the population,which may lead to lower limb edema and leg heaviness,as well as severe infections of skin ulcers that can result in sepsis and necessitate amputation.Conservative treatment and other supportive measures can only slow the disease's progression but are unable to drastically reverse it;surgical interventions are rarely used due to the high risk of catastrophic postoperative consequences.As one of the most promising minimally invasive therapies,percutaneous prosthetic valve replacement has emerged in light of this situation,providing novel alternatives for patients with deep venous valve insufficiency.We reviewed the historical prosthetic venous valve designs,including their structure and materials,animal evaluation models,and assessment criteria.On the basis of the findings from in vitro tests,animal studies,and clinical trials,we summarized the major challenges and potential solutions for the development of advanced prosthetic venous valves.

Cryotherapy and ankle motion in chronic venous disorders

This study compared ankle range of motion (AROM) including dorsiflexion, plantar flexion, inversion and eversion, and venous refill time (VRT) in leg skin inflamed by venous disorders, before and after a new cryotherapy ulcer prevention treatment. Fifty-seven individuals participated in the randomized clinical trial;28 in the experimental group and 29 received usual care only. Results revealed no statistically significant differences between the experimental and usual care groups although AROM measures in the experimental group showed a consistent, non-clinically relevant decrease compared to the usual care group except for dorsiflexion. Within treatment group comparisons of VRT results showed a statistically significant increase in both dorsiflexion and plantar flexion for patients with severe VRT in the experimental group (6.9 ± 6.8;p = 0.002 and 5.8 ± 12.6;p = 0.02, respectively). Cryotherapy did not further restrict already compromised AROM, and in some cases, there were minor improvements.

Venous Ulcer: Review Article

Venous ulceration is the most severe and debilitating outcome of chronic venous insufficiency in the lower limbs and accounts for 80 percent of lower extremity ulcerations. The morbidity caused by them has a serious impact on the quality of life. Sustained venous hypertension, caused by venous insufficiency leads to venous ulceration. The diagnosis is mainly clinical but needs to be differentiated from other causes of lower limb ulcers. Doppler ultrasound is the diagnostic investigation. Treatment options for venous ulcers include conservative management, mechanical treatment, medications, and surgical options. The goals of treatment are to reduce edema, improve ulcer healing, and prevent recurrence. The achievement of good long term results depends on continuous care, ulcer care clinics, home health nursing and regular evaluation by the doctor. They have a crucial role to play for the amelioration of this common and morbid condition.

从“血不利则为水”探讨慢性下肢静脉性水肿的血脉辨证

从“血不利则为水”的角度探讨慢性下肢静脉性水肿的中医证治,认为“血瘀水停”是慢性下肢静脉性水肿的重要病机,气病尤其是脾肾阳虚是发病的根本原因。临证在重视治血、治水和治气的同时要兼顾治络,以经方为本,活用虫类药和藤类药,补气兼顾温阳,活血兼顾逐瘀,通络兼顾养络。

左髂静脉受压对右下肢静脉临床表现-病因学-解剖学-病理生理学分级的影响

目的探讨左髂静脉受压后形成连通右髂静脉的侧支静脉对右下肢静脉临床表现-病因学-解剖学-病理生理学(CEAP)分级的影响。方法收集2018年4月至2020年6月于成都中医药大学附属医院就诊的2255例静脉曲张患者的临床资料,按照静脉造影结果将其分为A组(n=71,左髂静脉狭窄形成明显连通右髂静脉的侧支静脉)和B组(n=2184,无明显髂静脉受压)。比较两组患者右下肢静脉曲张发生率、CEAP分级情况。结果两组患者右下肢静脉曲张发生率比较,差异无统计学意义(P﹥0.05)。A组患者右下肢CEAP分级高于B组患者,差异有统计学意义(P﹤0.05)。将A组患者进一步分为以髂内静脉侧支循环为主的A1组(n=35)和以盆腔静脉侧支循环为主的A2组(n=36),两亚组患者的CEAP分级情况比较,差异无统计学意义(P﹥0.05)。结论左髂静脉狭窄形成明显连通右髂静脉的侧支静脉患者的右下肢CEAP分级可能会更高,虽然右下肢静脉曲张发生率无明显差异,但仍要注意其对双下肢静脉功能的影响,提前进行预防或者手术治疗。

下肢慢性静脉功能不全严重程度与超声结果的关系

目的:探讨下肢静脉功能不全的患者临床严重程度与超声检查结果的关系。方法:选取2022年1月至2023年6月在我院住院就诊的下肢静脉功能不全的285例患者,对所有患者的超声检查进行回顾,并依据临床、病因、解剖-病理(CEAP)分级、静脉临床严重程度评分(VCSS)和HASTI评分来评估患者的临床严重程度。结果:通过回顾性分析285例患者(463条患肢),研究发现重度静脉功能不全的风险与年龄、体质量指数(BMI)和糖尿病相关。超过60%的患肢有大隐静脉反流,有54.86%的患肢有穿支静脉反流,大隐静脉反流和穿支静脉反流与静脉功能不全的严重程度显著相关,重度静脉功能不全的患肢大隐静脉、小隐静脉、穿支静脉直径均显著高于轻中度,重度静脉功能不全的患肢大隐静脉反流时间、穿支静脉反流时间、股静脉反流时间显著大于轻中度。大隐静脉直径、穿支静脉直径和反流时间与VCSS和HASTI评分成正相关。结论:重度慢性静脉功能不全的超声阳性检出率更高,结果可作为静脉功能不全严重程度的客观评价指标。

慢性静脉功能不全患者血栓形成风险的实验室评估模型初探

目的探讨联合血栓弹力图(thromboelastography,TEG)、凝血指标和血小板参数评估慢性静脉功能不全(chronic venous insufficiency,CVI)患者血栓形成风险的预测价值。方法回顾性纳入本院2020年11月至2022年3月共计CVI患者359名,根据是否发生静脉血栓栓塞症(venous thromboembolism,VTE)分为VTE组和非VTE组。分析2组的基线特征,以及联合血栓弹力图、凝血指标和血小板参数对CVI患者发生VTE的风险预测价值。采用单因素Logistic回归分析的方筛选风险因子,采用多因素Logistic回归构建预测模型,通过曲线下面积(AUC)、灵敏度、特异度等指标以及临床决策曲线(DCA)进行模型性能评价。结果对照组相比,血栓形成组R值降低(3.27±0.71 vs 3.87±1.16,P<0.05);凝血酶原时间(PT)降低(11.08±3.02 vs 12.86±3.48,P<0.001),纤维蛋白原(Fib)增高(3.46 vs 3.10,P<0.05),D二聚体(DD)增高(3.00 vs 1.12,P<0.001);血小板分布宽度(PDW)降低(12.01±3.87 vs 13.98±3.20,P<0.001)。以PT、DD、R值、Fib和PDW作为预测因子建立的血栓形成预测模型ROC曲线下面积为0.8422,灵敏度和特异度分别为36.78%和95.59%。临床决策曲线(DCA)判断当模型预测值为0.1~0.7时可使患者获益。结论联合TEG、凝血指标和血小板参数预测CVI患者发生VTE风险具有一定的效果。

高同型半胱氨酸血症与外周血管疾病相关性的研究进展

同型半胱氨酸(Hcy)是一种含硫的氨基酸,其代谢受多种酶、辅酶、生理及病理因素的影响,当Hcy水平≥15μmol/L时,则诊断为高同型半胱氨酸血症(HHcy)。HHcy除了与心脑血管疾病的发生、发展密切相关之外,还与主动脉疾病、外周动脉疾病(PAD)、静脉血栓栓塞症(VTE)和下肢慢性静脉功能不全(CVI)等外周血管疾病有关。它主要可能是通过氧化应激反应、脂类代谢障碍、对基因转录产生改变等多种机制导致血管内皮损伤而引起。除此之外,Hcy代谢过程中多种酶的缺陷亦与血管疾病的发生有一定的关联。本文重点阐述Hcy的代谢途径、HHcy发生的危险因素、HHcy的致病机制以及HHcy与外周血管疾病相关性的研究进展。

改良股总静脉戴戒术治疗原发性下肢深静脉瓣膜功能不全下肢静脉曲张患者的临床疗效

目的探讨改良股总静脉戴戒术治疗原发性下肢深静脉瓣膜功能不全(PDVVI)下肢静脉曲张的临床疗效。方法收集2020年1月至2021年1月秦皇岛市第一医院收治的60例单侧PDVVI下肢静脉曲张患者的临床资料,按照治疗方法的不同将其分为对照组(n=30,采取传统大隐静脉高位结扎剥脱术)与研究组(n=30,在对照组基础上行改良股总静脉戴戒术)。比较两组患者术前及术后1、3、6个月的静脉临床严重程度评分(VCSS),术后3个月门诊复查双侧下肢静脉彩色多普勒超声,记录股静脉反流情况、股隐静脉残端复发率。结果研究组患者VCSS、股隐静脉残端复发率均低于对照组患者,下肢股静脉反流时间短于对照组患者,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论改良股静脉戴戒术治疗单侧PDVVI下肢静脉曲张患者的临床效果显著,能够明显改善患肢深静脉血流动力学及瓣膜功能,缓解患者临床症状,提高其生活质量,值得在临床上进一步推广应用。

大隐静脉剥脱术后早期下肢静脉系统血流动力学数据分析

目的 通过比较分析传统大隐静脉高位结扎剥脱术前后患者下肢静脉系统中的血流动力学参数变化,为评估手术疗效提供依据。方法 选取本院33例经过大隐静脉高位结扎加剥脱手术治疗的CEAP C2~C4大隐静脉曲张患者,应用彩色多普勒超声收集患者术前和术后早期下肢静脉系统中的血流动力学参数,对比分析术前与术后参数的变化。结果 术后患者股总静脉、股浅静脉、大隐静脉汇入段及胫后静脉血管直经缩小;股总、股浅、腘和小隐静脉的血流速度增快,胫后静脉血流速度减慢;上述静脉返流峰值减小、返流时间缩短,差异都具有统计学意义(P<0.05);结论 通过分析患者下肢静脉系统血流动力学数据,可更为客观地评价大隐静脉高位结扎及剥脱术的疗效。

Sclerotherapy as the Only Treatment for Varicose Veins

Background: Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is a widespread and underdiagnosed condition that affects more than 20% of the general population. The most prevalent manifestation of CVI is varicose veins (VVs), which affect up to 25% of women and 15% of males. Sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive procedure used primarily in treating telangiectasias, reticular veins, and small varicose veins. Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of various sclerotherapy techniques in treating varicose veins-related complications. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional observational interventional study at Jordan University Hospital (JUH) from September 2022 to January 2023. The study involved patients with lower limb varicose veins, assessing their clinical response and monitoring potential treatment complications. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software version 21.0. Results: Of 567 patients with diagnosed VVs, 544 were female (95.94%), and 23 were male (4.06%). The primary complaints were pain and cosmetic concerns. Treatments included Foam Aethoxysklerol® 3% (polidocanol) and Micro-foam Aethoxysklerol® 1%. Improvement in symptoms was reported by 538 patients (94.89%). The most common adverse event was hyperpigmentation, reported in 120 patients (21.16%), followed by post-procedural pain in 104 patients (18.34%). Notably, one patient (0.18%) experienced deep vein thrombosis (DVT), one (0.18%) reported telangiectatic matting, and there were two cases (0.36%) of visual disturbances and one allergic reaction. Conclusion: Sclerotherapy is effective and safe for treating VVs with minimal adverse events. It is a viable standalone treatment, reducing complications linked to other methods like radiofrequency ablation and surgery.

直接前侧入路对初次单侧全髋关节置换术后患者步态恢复和下肢静脉回流的影响

目的:探讨与分析直接前侧入路对初次单侧全髋关节置换术后患者步态恢复和下肢静脉回流的影响。方法:选择2021年1月—2022年11月在辽宁省健康产业集团阜新矿总医院诊治的112例初次单侧股骨颈骨折患者作为研究对象,根据随机数字表法将112例患者分为研究组(n=56)与对照组(n=56)。两组均给予全髋关节置换术治疗,研究组为直接前侧入路,对照组为后外侧入路。观察与记录患者的围手术期指标、髋关节功能、步态和下肢静脉回流障碍情况。结果:研究组手术时间、术后住院时间均短于对照组,术后引流量、术中出血量均少于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。研究组髋关节功能优良率低于对照组(82.14%vs 64.29%),差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。研究组下肢静脉回流障碍发生率为0,与对照组的10.71%比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。术后3 d,两组跨步长与步速比较,差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05);术后3个月,研究组的跨步长长于对照组,步速高于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:直接前侧入路初次单侧全髋关节置换术可缩短手术时间,降低出血量和下肢静脉回流障碍发生率,有利于患者髋关节功能恢复。

Intense venous reflux,quantified by a new software to analyze presurgical ultrasound,is associated with unfavorable outcomes of microsurgical varicocelectomy

The hemodynamic characteristics of venous reflux are associated with infertility in patients with varicocele;however,an effective method for quantifying the structural distribution of the reflux is lacking.This study aimed to predict surgical outcomes using a new software for venous reflux quantification.This was a retrospective cohort study of a consecutive series of 105 patients(age range:22–44 years)between July 2017 and September 2019.Venous reflux of the varicocele was obtained using the Valsalva maneuver during scrotal Doppler ultrasonography before microsurgical varicocelectomy.Using this software,the colored reflux signals were segmented,and the gray scale of the color pixels representing the reflux velocity was comprehensively quantified into the mean reflux velocity of the green layer(MRVG)and the reflux velocity standard deviation of the green layer(RVSDG).Spontaneous pregnancy and changes from baseline in the semen parameters were assessed during a 12-month follow-up period.Data were analyzed using logistic regression analysis.An association of the high MRVG group with impaired progressive motility(odds ratio[OR]=2.868,95%confidence interval[CI]:1.133–7.265)and impaired sperm concentration(OR=2.943,95%CI:1.196–7.239)was found during multivariate analysis.High MRVG(OR=2.680,95%CI:1.086–6.614)and high RVSDG(OR=2.508,95%CI:1.030–6.111)were found to be independent predictors of failure to achieve pregnancy following microsurgical repair.In summary,intense venous reflux is an independent predictor of impaired progressive motility,sperm concentration,and pregnancy outcomes after microsurgical varicocelectomy.