Clinical characterization of consecutive patients treated with endovenous radiofrequency ablation of the great saphenous vein in Northwest China

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The goal of this study was to characterize consecutive patients in Northwest China treated with endovenous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and foam sclerotherapy over a 10-month period in 2020. METHODS: A total of 55 (31 men) patients were analyzed. An ultrasound examination was performed preprocedure and at set intervals up to 6 months postprocedure. The clinical-etiological-anatomical-pathophysiological classification, Venous Clinical Severity Score (VCSS), and heaviness, achiness, swelling, throbbing, and itching (HASTI) score were used. RESULTS: Ultrasound confirmed 23 (41.8%) patients had unilateral disease and 32 (58.2%) had bilateral disease. Of the total 87 limbs, C2 predominated (42;48.3%). At 6 months postprocedure, VCSS improved in the C2, C4, C5, and C6 classes (P < 0.001); HASTI improved in the C2, C3, C4, and C5 classes (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This is one of the few clinical characterizations of patients who had RFA and foam sclerotherapy in Northwest China. Overall, both the VCSS and the HASTI score demonstrated improvement postintervention.