Evaluation of quality of life and photoplethysmography in patients with chronic venous insufficiency treated with foam sclerotherapy

BACKGROUND: Ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy plays a major role in treatment of chronic venous insufficiency, providing clinical and hemodynamic improvement to patients undergoing treatment.OBJECTIVES: To examine the relationships between venous refilling time and impact of venous disease on qua...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Felipe Coelho Neto, Gilson Roberto Araújo, Iruena Moraes Kessler
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Sociedade Brasileira de Angiologia e de Cirurgia Vascular (SBACV) 2015-06-01
Series:Jornal Vascular Brasileiro
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Online Access:http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1677-54492015000200145&lng=en&tlng=en
Description
Summary:BACKGROUND: Ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy plays a major role in treatment of chronic venous insufficiency, providing clinical and hemodynamic improvement to patients undergoing treatment.OBJECTIVES: To examine the relationships between venous refilling time and impact of venous disease on quality of life and between changes in venous refilling time and improvement of symptoms after ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy for chronic venous insufficiency.METHODS: Thirty-two patients classified as C4, C5 or C6 answered a questionnaire on quality of life and symptoms and their venous filling time was measured using photoplethysmography before and 45 days after treatment of chronic venous insufficiency with ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy.RESULTS: Statistically significant improvements were observed in quality of life scores and in venous filling time and in the following symptoms: aching, heavy legs, restless legs, swelling, burning sensations, and throbbing (p<0.0001). A similar improvement was also seen in the work and social domains of quality of life (p<0.0001).CONCLUSIONS: As confirmed by questionnaire scores and venous refilling times, ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy demonstrated efficacy and resulted in high satisfaction levels and low rates of major complications.
ISSN:1677-7301