PURSUING NEW RESEARCH As a part of the New Horizon Strategic Campaign, the AVLS formed committees to pursue new research projects and grants relevant to venous and lymphatic medicine. Many of these new studies use data from the PRO Venous Registry.
Phlebectomy Outcomes Study Utilizing the thousands of data points on phlebectomy procedures from the AVLS PRO Venous Registry, Drs. John Blebea and Ken Harper are studying and comparing groups that initially underwent only phlebectomy, simultaneous phlebectomy, and venous ablation (laser and RFA) and groups that initially had only venous ablation. Examining both indications and clinical outcomes, they wish to better define optimal strategies for the use of phlebectomy and its contribution to patients who require combination therapy.
Venous Leg Ulcer Abstract
and ONLY deep vein pathology. An additional 278 patients presented with an absence of venous pathology yet an ulcer on the legs. In all, the VLU patients with superficial pathology presented at an average age of 65, proportionally more males vs. females. Those with mixed pathology demonstrated significantly younger ages. This manuscript is forthcoming, and we must ask ourselves, how can we disrupt the barriers to care so that those in need of our services have access to care? There is still much to do.
The Anterior Saphenous Vein Last year an initiative was created by AVLS and AVF to demonstrate the importance of the anterior accessory of the great saphenous vein (GSV). Several scheduled meetings took place to determine the important issues and develop a plan to enhance our understanding and clarify all issues regarding this vein.
All the anatomic and clinical work was collected, As the 2018 EVRA trial demonstrated that early and our group of experts, Alberto Caggiati, intervention accelerates venous leg ulcer (VLU) Nicos Labropoulos, Mark Meissner, Antonios healing and is proven cost-effective, has there Gasparis, Edward Boyle, and Suat Doganci, really been a shift in care for those most in need removed the word accessory and proposed of intervention? There remain structural barriers a new name: Anterior Saphenous Vein (ASV). in place for many markets where no change in This was done to indicate that ASV has its own referral patterns has occurred. The following distinct anatomy and pathology, producing paragraph offers insight into nearly 2,000 leg signs and symptoms similar to those seen ulcers entering vein practices pulled for analysis by the GSV. from the AVLS PRO 2.0 Registry. ASV starts from the dorsum of the foot and Data pulled for analysis included demographic variables, disease severity scoring, and duplex findings at presentation. To no one’s surprise, 83% had a superficial venous component (79% superficial ONLY, while the remainder had mixed superficial and deep vein pathology. 1.9% presented with post-thrombotic syndrome
continues all the way to the thigh and groin area having connections with the GSV at various levels. It also often replaces the GSV in the thigh, and it is the main vein for drainage in the anterior and medial parts of the subcutaneous tissues.
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