Clinical correlation with failure of endovenous therapy for leg swelling

Background The development and use of minimally invasive procedures provide improved options for the management of symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency. While many patients with iliac venous occlusive disease and superficial venous insufficiency improve with combined iliac venous stenting and correction of superficial venous reflux, some patients have symptoms which persist. The goal of this study was to identify clinical factors related to persistent symptoms in patients with leg swelling after treatment of both iliac vein stenting and thermal ablation. Methods This observational study analyzed data for patients who underwent both iliac vein stent placement as well as endovenous ablation (either RFA or EVLT) as a management for chronic venous insufficiency between February 2012 and February 2014. Follow-up was performed after completion of both procedures and inquiring for improvement of swelling. 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, 55 (31.8%) patients were men; 29 (16%) patients stated they had no improvement after these procedures. The average age of patients who did not improve was 68.8 (±16.7 SD) years and 66.2 (±13.3 SD) years for patients who improved. Over all, the classification of the presenting symptoms by CEAP classification demonstrated 25.4%, 53.2%, 5.8%, and 15.6%, for C3-C6, respectively. There was no correlation with failure to improve the swelling with: age ( P = .44), gender ( P = .33), presenting symptom ( P = .67), use of calcium channel blockers ( P = .85), nitroglycerin ( P = .86), Plavix ( P = .07), aspirin ( P = .55), Synthyroid ( P = .55), Coumadin ( P = .14), angiotensin receptor blocker ( P = .81), β Blockers ( P = .61), angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors ( P = .88), furosemide 40 mg ( P = .74), hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg ( P = .07), hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg ( P = .48), and EVLT vs. RFA ( P = .91). The use of furosemide (20 mg) was associated with continued swelling ( P = .01). The use of dual diuretics (furosemide and hydrochlorothiazide) was associated with persistent swelling even after these combined endovenous procedures P = .03). Conclusion These preliminary data suggest that the treatment with diuretics may be associated with failure to relieve lower extremity swelling despite combined endovascular therapy for chronic venous insufficiency.