Transabdominal ultrasound accurately identifies a significant iliac vein area-reducing lesion in patients with pelvic venous insufficiency.

Background: In patients with pelvic venous disorders secondary to pelvic venous insufficiency (PVI), the optimal imaging modality is ill-defined. Transabdominal ultrasound (TAU) is widely used to identify the presence of iliac vein stenosis. The purpose of the present investigation is to determine the accuracy of TAU for determining the presence of an iliac vein area-reducing lesion compared with intravascular ultrasound (IVUS).

Immediate postprocedure anticoagulation with factor Xa inhibitors of venous stents for nonthrombotic venous lesions does not increase stent patency.

Background: Many clinicians will prescribe anticoagulation therapy for patients after iliac vein stenting to prevent early or late stent thrombosis. At present, it is unknown whether therapeutic anticoagulation has any effect on stent patency. Thus, we assessed the role of short-term anticoagulation on iliac vein stent patency in patients with nonthrombotic iliac vein lesions (NIVLs).

Pregnancy after iliac vein stenting for pelvic venous insufficiency.

Background: The use of iliac vein stenting for the treatment of pelvic pain secondary to pelvic venous insufficiency has significantly increased. In women of childbearing age, the effect of the gravid uterus on stent function and patency is unclear. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effect of pregnancy on stent patency and reintervention rate in women with iliac vein stents.

Severity of disease and treatment outcomes of anterior accessory great saphenous veins compared with the great saphenous vein.

Objective: Endovenous therapies are currently the standard of care for the treatment of patients with symptomatic great saphenous vein (GSV) reflux. The effectiveness and long-term outcomes of these therapies for anterior accessory great saphenous veins (AAGSVs) are poorly defined. The objective of this investigation is to determine treatment outcomes in patients with symptomatic AAGSV reflux compared with patients with symptomatic GSV reflux.

Extended Center for Vein Restoration study assessing comparative outcomes for the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency in Medicare- and non-Medicare-eligible patients.

Background: We previously reported that chronic venous insufficiency treatment of Medicare-eligible patients achieved outcomes similar to those for non-Medicare-eligible patients. The goal of the present investigation was to assess the long-term treatment outcomes and the effect of race in a larger patient cohort.

Methods: From January 2015 to December 2019, we retrospectively reviewed the data from 131,268 patients who had presented for a lower extremity venous evaluation.

Pelvic venous insufficiency secondary to iliac vein stenosis and ovarian vein reflux treated with iliac vein stenting alone.

Background: We have previously reported that in women with a pelvic venous disorder secondary to pelvic venous insufficiency, 56% will present with an iliac vein stenosis (IVS) and ovarian vein reflux (OVR). The purpose of the present investigation was to determine whether women with combined disease can be treated using iliac vein stenting alone.

Methods: A retrospective review of prospectively collected data at the Center for Vascular Medicine was performed.

Evaluating patient preferences for thermal ablation versus nonthermal, nontumescent varicose vein treatments.

Objective: To measure patient preferences for attributes associated with thermal ablation and nonthermal, nontumescent varicose vein treatments.

Methods: Data were collected from an electronic patient preference survey taken by 70 adult participants (aged 20 years or older) at three Center for Vein Restoration clinics in New Jersey from July 19, 2019, through August 13, 2019. Survey participation was voluntary and anonymous (participation rate of 80.

Racial disparities in the outcomes of superficial vein treatments for chronic venous insufficiency.

Background: Chronic venous disease (CVD) affects >20 million people in the United States. Despite this huge prevalence, there are few data on whether the effectiveness of current CVD therapies for symptomatic superficial vein reflux is affected by race. The goal of this investigation was to evaluate CVD treatment outcomes in various races in the United States.

Iliac vein stenosis is an underdiagnosed cause of pelvic venous insufficiency.

Background: Reflux in the ovarian veins, with or without an obstructive venous outflow component, is reported to be the primary cause of pelvic venous insufficiency (PVI). The degree to which venous outflow obstruction plays a role in PVI is currently ill-defined.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 227 women with PVI who presented to the Center for Vascular Medicine from January 2012 to September 2015.

The Center for Vein Restoration Study on presenting symptoms, treatment modalities, and outcomes in Medicare-eligible patients with chronic venous disorders.

Background: Chronic venous disorders (CVDs) have been estimated to affect up to 20 million Americans. Despite this huge prevalence, the signs, symptoms, and treatment outcomes in patients 65 years of age and older are not well defined. Our goal was to determine the presentation and treatment outcomes in elderly patients compared with a cohort of patients younger than 65 years.

Pathophysiology of venous ulceration.

Our understanding of the pathophysiologic process of venous ulceration has dramatically increased during the past two decades because of dedicated, venous-specific basic science research. Currently, the mechanisms regulating venous ulceration are a combination of macroscopic and microscopic pathologic processes. Macroscopic alterations refer to pathologic processes related to varicose vein formation, vein wall architecture, and cellular abnormalities that impair venous function.