Influence of Superficial Venous Ablation on Deep Venous Dilation and Reflux in Patients With Saphenous Varicose Veins

Abstract

This study is a single-center retrospective review of 223 legs treated with radiofrequency ablation of the great saphenous vein in 154 patients. Patients were evaluated before and after radiofrequency ablation. The treatment of superficial venous insufficiency with endovenous ablation improves deep venous hemodynamics. In patients with concomitant deep venous reflux, there was a statistically significant improvement as well as a decrease in the diameter of both the common femoral and popliteal veins. There were also improvements in the functional venous volume (decrease) and venous filling index (decrease, which correlated with the deep venous diameters. The “old” teaching that one cannot improve deep venous insufficiency has been shown not to be the case in many studies, including this one. By taking the refluxing superficial system out of the circuit, the hemodynamics and dilatation improve in the deep system. It may not return to normal or baseline, but the patients may have symptomatic improvement. And improved quality of life is the ultimate goal!!