Arq Bras Cardiol: Imagem cardiovasc 2018; 31(2): 90-94

Association between Anatomical Variation of the Great Saphenous Vein and Venous Failure in Patients Undergoing Vascular Ultrasound of the Lower Limbs

DOI: 10.5935/2318-8219.20180012

Summary

Introduction

Venous anatomy may present significant variability, with a wide incidence of venous tributaries, duplicate or accessory veins related to saphenous veins. The recognition and identification of these variations are important in the therapeutic management of these patients, and vascular ultrasonography is the method of choice in the evaluation of the peripheral venous system.

Objectives

To evaluate the association between anatomic variance of the great saphenous vein (VSM) and venous insufficiency of the lower limbs in patients with primary varicose veins of the lower limbs.

Methods

Patients with varicose veins were consecutively evaluated in the period from 2014 to 2015, excluding patients with a history of previous surgery and deep venous thrombosis. Vascular ultrasound was performed to examine the superficial venous system, in particular to the VSM study, determining the different patterns of anatomical variation of this vessel and its association with the presence of venous insufficiency and CEAP classification.

Results

422 lower limbs of 211 patients, aged between 21 and 86 years, mean age of 45.7 years, 81% female, with a predominance of APC 1 (43.8%) and 2 (46.2% %). Reflux in the VSM was found in 35.1%. The presence of anatomical variation was found in 8.8% of the patients, being more frequent in the distal third of the thigh and proximal of the leg (27.3%). No association was found between the anatomical variation of MSV and CEAP (p = 0.25). There was a statistically significant association between no anatomic variation and the presence of VSM insufficiency (p = 0.03).

Conclusion

in the present study, anatomic variation of the great saphenous vein was observed in about 9% of the patients, with a significant association between insufficiency of the great saphenous vein and no anatomical variation. (Arq Bras Cardiol: Imagem cardiovasc. 2018;31(2):90-94)