Assessment of the CHIVA and the ASVAL Method.

In this article, the CHIVA and ASVAL methods are assessed from the hemodynamic point of view. The CHIVA method comprises complicated, unusual terminology and new perceptions, such as closed and open shunts, fractionation of the hydrostatic pressure, subdivision of the venous network. The principal part of the CHIVA theory is the drainage of venous blood from the thigh saphenous system into the deep lower leg veins through the preserved saphenous trunk after high ligation at the saphenofemoral junction, which is considered as a beneficial, physiological phenomenon.

Hemodynamics-based treatment of varices: A therapeutic concept counteracting the intrinsic tendency of varicose veins to recur.

Varicose vein disease is characterized by tenacious tendency to recur. Measures recommended to prevent recurrences (flush ligation at the saphenofemoral junction, removal of incompetent great saphenous vein in the thigh, and insertion of mechanical barriers in the fossa ovalis) did not succeed in preventing recurrence. Reflux recurrence is triggered by the hemodynamic phenomenon called hemodynamic paradox.

Significance of Reflux Abolition at the Saphenofemoral Junction in Connection with Stripping and Ablative Methods.

Saphenous reflux interferes with the physiological decrease in pressure and induces ambulatory venous hypertension. Elimination of reflux is achieved by flush ligation at the incompetent saphenofemoral junction and stripping of the great saphenous vein, which is the basis of the conventional surgical therapy. Endovenous ablative methods substitute stripping by thermal of chemical destruction of the saphenous trunk; they usually refrain from saphenofemoral junction ligation.

Competent and incompetent calf perforators in primary varicose veins: a resistant myth.

The pathophysiology of calf perforators is presented. Bidirectional flow within calf perforators with a prevailing inward, into deep veins oriented component arises during calf pump activity in varicose vein patients, as evidenced by venous pressure measurements, plethysmographic findings, duplex ultrasonography, and electromagnetic flow measurements. Reflux within calf perforators is an inward, not outward, flow; the opinion that the outward flow within calf perforators is a reflux is at odds with the reality.

Calf pump activity influencing venous hemodynamics in the lower extremity.

Calf muscle pump is the motive force enhancing return of venous blood from the lower extremity to the heart. It causes displacement of venous blood in both vertical and horizontal directions, generates ambulatory pressure gradient between thigh and lower leg veins, and bidirectional streaming within calf perforators. Ambulatory pressure gradient triggers venous reflux in incompetent veins, which induces ambulatory venous hypertension in the lower leg and foot.

The hemodynamic paradox as a phenomenon triggering recurrent reflux in varicose vein disease.

A curious hemodynamic phenomenon emerging as a consequence of the treatment of varicose veins can offer a reasonable explanation why varicose vein and reflux recurrences occur tenaciously irrespective of the applied therapeutic procedure. Saphenous reflux is the most important hemodynamic factor in varicose vein disease: it is responsible for the hemodynamic disturbance, ambulatory venous hypertension, clinical symptoms, and chronic venous insufficiency. Abolition of saphenous reflux eliminates the hemodynamic disturbance and restores physiological hemodynamic and pressure conditions, but at the same time it unavoidably evokes a pressure difference between the femoral vein and the incompetent superficial veins in the thigh during calf pump activity.

Saphenofemoral junction ligation supplemented by postoperative sclerotherapy: a review of long-term clinical and hemodynamic results.

This review article summarizes information found in the literature concerning long-term results following high ligation supplemented in the postoperative period by sclerotherapy. Subjective complaints, recurrent reflux, and recurrent varicose vein rates as well as changes in venous hemodynamics are reviewed and compared with results after high ligation and stripping. The fate of the greater saphenous vein trunk after high ligation, the question whether it could actually be used as a graft in arterial and coronary artery reconstructions, and the relevance of saphenous vein saving surgery are discussed.