Endothermal heat-induced thrombosis after endovenous laser ablation: A single-center experience

Lower limb varicose veins are a common vascular disorder producing pain and disability when truncal vein reflux is present. Endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) of the great saphenous vein (GSV) is a safe and effective method for treating this condition. An unintended complication of this procedure is endothermal heat-induced thrombosis (EHIT) of common femoral vein. A retrospective outcomes analysis of patients who underwent EVLA of the GSV at King Khalid University Hospital from June 2006 to November 2018 was conducted to identify the risks factors and incidence of EHIT. Patients were assessed by clinical examination and duplex ultrasound imaging after the EVLA, and patient demographic characteristics and procedural factors predictive of EHIT were determined. Following EVLA, 11,070 duplex ultrasound examinations were performed for 1,230 limbs, and EHIT was detected in 65 (5.3%) limbs in 60 (6.8%) patients. Essentially all EHIT cases were detected in the first week (n = 63; 96.9%) and clot regression occurred over a period of 1-4 weeks. There were no significant differences in patient demographic characteristics or procedural factors between the EHIT and non-EHIT groups, except for the percentage of women (86% v 73%; P = .02), maximum GSV diameter (6.7 ± 2.7 mm v 6.0 ± 2.1 mm; P = .04), and percentage of patients with a competent saphenofemoral junction (41% v 37%; P < .001). EVLA is a safe treatment for great saphenous vein reflux, but EHIT can occur and was associated with female sex, large maximum GSV diameter, and competent saphenofemoral junction. Venous duplex imaging after EVLA is recommended because EHIT is asymptomatic in most patients.