Vein diameter is a predictive factor for recanalization in treatment with ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy

Objective: Ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy (UGFS) is a low-cost and minimally invasive treatment option for varicose veins. There is a relative paucity of outcome reports. Methods: UGFS procedures at a tertiary public hospital between 2010 and 2017 were studied. Either the great saphenous vein (GSV) or small saphenous vein (SSV) was treated. Pretreatment, in-treatment, 6-week, and 1-year post-treatment ultrasound reports were analyzed. The primary outcome was to determine whether vein diameter predicts obliteration failure. Results: There were 457 treatments completed in 290 patients. The GSV was targeted in 372 (81%). Mean vein diameters of the GSV were not different from those of the SSV (GSV, 5.7 mm; SSV, 6.2 mm; P = .18); 109 (24%) had a Clinical, Etiology, Anatomy, and Pathophysiology score of at least 4. Of the 457 UGFS procedures, 360 (78.8%) were for primary veins. Baseline information, including vein diameter, was not different between primary and recurrent veins. At 6 weeks, complete obliteration, partial recanalization, and complete recanalization rates were 54.9%, 29.1%, and 16%, respectively. Of those with complete obliteration at 6 weeks, the recanalization rate at 1 year was 25%. Increasing vein diameter was associated with recanalization at 1 year (obliteration, 4.9 mm; recanalization, 5.7 mm; P = .03), especially for primary veins (4.8 vs 5.8 mm; P = .009). Multivariate analysis showed similar outcome. Vein diameter of >6 mm had good specificity (88%) but poor sensitivity (43%) for predicting obliteration failure. There were 15 (3%) new-onset deep venous thromboses reported on follow-up, all of which were from treatment of primary veins (P = .049). Conclusions: Only 44% of UGFS procedures were observed to have complete obliteration at 1 year after a single intervention. Significant recanalization developed at 1 year. Increased vein diameter was associated with recanalization. The impact on clinical recurrence is unknown.