warfarin and Varicose-Veins

The aim of this study was to assess thrombotic complications following sclerotherapy in thrombophilic patients in combination with thromboprophylaxis, in two randomized arms using low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) or warfarin. Patients and methods This study received approval from the Ethics Committee. A total of 105 patients (81 females, 24 males) ranging in age from 20 to 82 years (mean 50) were selected: 75 with Factor V Leiden mutation, 18 with prothrombin 20210A mutation, 7 with high level of Factor VIII, 5 combinations of these. After randomization, 51 and 54 patients received warfarin and LMWH, respectively. A total of 199 sclerotherapy sessions were performed. Foam was used in 160 treatments.. No episodes of symptomatic deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE) occurred; no instances of DVT were revealed by ultrasound-monitoring.. This study suggests that in the three most common forms of thrombophilia, sclerotherapy, in combination with thromboprophylaxis, can be performed safely. Prophylaxis with LMWH is easier to use than warfarin.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Factor V; Female; Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Mutation; Prospective Studies; Sclerosing Solutions; Sclerotherapy; Thrombophilia; Thrombosis; Varicose Veins; Warfarin

Studies assessing the effect of the use of anticoagulant agents on endovenous thermal ablation (ETA) have been limited to patients taking warfarin. Thus, the aim of the present study was to assess the efficacy and safety of ETA for patients taking direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs). We hypothesized that the outcome of ETA for patients taking DOACs would not be superior to the outcomes for patients taking DOACs.. We performed a retrospective review to identify patients who had undergone radiofrequency ablation or endovenous laser ablation with 1470-nm diode laser fibers for symptomatic great or small saphenous venous reflux from 2018 to 2020. The patients were dichotomized into those who had received a therapeutic dose of DOACs periprocedurally and those who had not (control group). The outcomes of interest included the rates of treated vein closure at 7 days and 9 months and the incidence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), endothermal heat-induced thrombosis (EHIT), and bleeding periprocedurally.. Of the 301 patients (382 procedures), 69 patients (87 procedures) had received DOACs and 232 control patients (295 procedures) had not received DOACs. The patients receiving DOACs were more often older (mean age, 65 years vs 55 years; P < .001) and male (70% vs 37%; P < .001), with a higher prevalence of venous thromboembolism and more severe CEAP (clinical, etiologic, anatomic, pathophysiologic) classification (5 or 6), than were the control patients. Those receiving DOACs were more likely to have had a history of DVT (44% vs 6%; P < .001), pulmonary embolism (13% vs 0%; P < .001), and phlebitis (32% vs 15%; P < .001). Procedurally, radiofrequency ablation had been used more frequently in the control group (92% vs 84%; P = .029), with longer segments of treated veins (mean, 38 mm vs 35 mm, respectively; P = .028). No major or minor bleeding events nor any EHIT had occurred in either group. Two patients in the control group (0.7%) developed DVT; however, no DVT was observed in those in the DOAC group (P = .441). At 9 months, the treated vein had remained ablated after 94.4% of procedures for patients receiving DOACs and 98.4% of the control group (P = .163). On multivariable analysis, DOAC usage was not associated with an increased risk of vein recanalization (hazard ratio, 5.76; 95% confidence interval, 0.57-58.64; P = .139). An increased preprocedural vein diameter and the use of endovenous laser ablation were associated with an increased risk of recanalization.. In our study of patients who had undergone ETA for symptomatic saphenous venous reflux, the periprocedural use of DOACs did not adversely affect the efficacy of endovenous ablation to ≥9 months. Furthermore, DOAC use did not confer an additional risk of bleeding, DVT, or EHIT periprocedurally. DOACs may be safely continued without affecting the efficacy and durability of ETA.

Topics: Aged; Anticoagulants; Hemorrhage; Humans; Laser Therapy; Male; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Saphenous Vein; Thrombosis; Treatment Outcome; Varicose Veins; Venous Insufficiency; Warfarin

Topics: Aged; Anticoagulants; Female; Humans; Iliac Vein; Pain; Pelvis; Phlebography; Treatment Outcome; Varicose Veins; Warfarin

Topics: Azathioprine; Behcet Syndrome; Colchicine; Hemorrhage; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; Scrotum; Varicose Veins; Warfarin

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the risks of bleeding, deep venous thrombosis (DVT), endovenous heat induced thrombosis (EHIT) and failure of ablation on patients who undergo ablation while on oral anticoagulation.. We compared 378 (3.4%) out of 11252 patients (group A) who had undergone 724 endovenous ablation of the saphenous veins from January 1, 2011 to September 30, 2014 while on oral anticoagulation to a randomly selected 375 patients (group B) who underwent 641endovenous ablation in the same time period but were not on anticoagulation. The demographic data, history of DVT, the Clinical, Etiologic, Anatomic, Pathologic (CEAP) classification and the VCSS (Venous Clinical Severity Score) scores were analyzed. The indications for anticoagulation, the anticoagulants used were recorded. The primary endpoints were bleeding, development of DVT or EHIT, and failure of ablation.. Patients in group A were older, had more men, more history of DVT and PE, had higher CEAP and VCSS scores compared to group B. The type of anticoagulation used was warfarin in 77.2% direct oral inhibitors (DOIs) in 22.8%. The rate of failure of ablation at 3 days was 39 (5.6%) for Group A and 3 (0.5%) for Group B (P<0.0001) and at one month it was 46 (10.1%) vs. 27 (6.7%) (P=0.086). The number of EHIT cases in group A at 3 days was 2 (0.3%), compared to 6 (0.9%) in group B (P=0.016) and at 1 month it was 0 compared to 4 (1.0%) (P=0.0483). The DVT, SVT, hematoma and wound infection rates were similar in the two groups.. Ablation of the saphenous veins in patients who are on oral anticoagulation is safe and does not increase the risk of bleeding or hematoma, but it may slightly lower the incidence of EHIT and increase the incidence of failure of ablation.

Topics: Ablation Techniques; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Anticoagulants; Female; Hemorrhage; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Postoperative Complications; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Saphenous Vein; Treatment Outcome; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex; United States; Varicose Veins; Venous Insufficiency; Venous Thrombosis; Warfarin; Young Adult

A growing number of patients who are on systemic anticoagulation with warfarin require endovenous thermal ablation for reflux disease in the great saphenous vein (GSV). Little is known about the effects of anticoagulation on periprocedural bleeding and long-term closure rates of the treated veins. This study evaluated the effects of uninterrupted anticoagulation in patients undergoing endovenous thermal ablation.. In this prospective observational study, 88 limbs of patients on warfarin (anticoagulation group [AG]) who underwent endovenous thermal ablation for GSV reflux disease were compared with 92 limbs in patients receiving no anticoagulation or antiplatelet agents (control group [CG]). Forty percent of AG patients were also receiving antiplatelet therapy. Periprocedural bleeding and closure rate at 1 year were evaluated.. No major bleeding occurred in either group. Minor bleeding was noted in 8 of 88 procedures in the AG vs 4 of 92 in the CG (P = 0.24); all in patients receiving radiofrequency ablation. Four of the eight minor bleeds in the AG were noted in patients receiving "triple therapy" with warfarin, aspirin, and clopidogrel or ticlopidine. Triple therapy in the AG was associated with a higher risk of minor bleeding compared with the CG (relative risk, 13.0; 95% confidence interval, 4.10-41.19, P < .001). All treated venous segments remained closed at the 1-year follow-up in both groups.. In this relatively small, nonrandomized study comparing endovenous thermal ablation in patients with and without warfarin, no differences were found in periprocedural risk of major bleeding or closure rate of the treated venous segments. Minor bleeding was increased in patients receiving triple therapy with warfarin, aspirin, and a thienopyridine who underwent radiofrequency ablation.

Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Anticoagulants; Aspirin; Atrial Fibrillation; Catheter Ablation; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Hemorrhage; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Risk Assessment; Saphenous Vein; Varicose Veins; Venous Thromboembolism; Warfarin

Topics: Adult; Anticoagulants; Duodenal Diseases; Duodenoscopy; Duodenum; Endosonography; Female; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage; Humans; Hypertension, Portal; Portal Vein; Varicose Veins; Venous Thrombosis; Warfarin

Although warfarin is routinely stopped prior to varicose vein surgery the absence of incisions may make this unnecessary prior to EVLA. Nevertheless continuing therapy may compromise ablation rates resulting in treatment failure. Since EVLA is particularly suitable for older patients with co-morbidities this study investigates whether warfarin influences outcome.. A prospective observational cohort study was designed to assess ablation rates (1 year, duplex ultrasound), Aberdeen varicose vein symptom severity scores (AVVSS) and patient satisfaction following GSV EVLA in 22 patients ("warfarin group": 12 female, 10 male; 24 limbs) taking warfarin and 24 age/sex and disease-severity matched controls who were not taking anticoagulants ("no-warfarin group").. Complete ablation of the treated-length of GSV was achieved in 20/24 (83%) limbs in the "warfarin group" versus 23/24 (96%) in the "no-warfarin" group (p=0.347, chi squared). Suboptimal energy densities were delivered to 3/4 failures in the "warfarin group". A similar, significant (p<0.001, Wilcoxon) improvement in AVVSS occurred in both groups [warfarin: median 14.6 (inter-quartile range 8.9-19.1) to 3.8 (1.9-6.2), no-warfarin: median 13.9 (IQR 7.6-20.1) to 3.5 (2.2-6.4)]. Patients were equally satisfied with outcomes (warfarin=92%, no-warfarin=90%; p=0.391, Mann-Whitney). No major complications occurred.. EVLA in patients taking warfarin is safe and effective. Since cessation of therapy is unnecessary it should provide a valuable alternative to surgery in these patients.

Topics: Aged; Anticoagulants; Case-Control Studies; Drug Administration Schedule; Female; Humans; Laser Therapy; Male; Middle Aged; Patient Satisfaction; Prospective Studies; Saphenous Vein; Severity of Illness Index; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex; Varicose Veins; Warfarin

This study was designed to identify the global pattern of differentially expressed genes in human varicose veins. Using suppressive subtractive hybridization, we identified overexpression of genes known to be associated with extracellular matrix remodeling, including collagen III, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases I, dermatopontin, matrix Gla protein (MGP) and tenascin C. Real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis confirmed the differential expression of these genes. The overexpression of MGP transcript was associated with increased MGP level in varicose veins, in particular the undercarboxylated form of the protein. Smooth muscle cells from varicose veins showed increased proliferation rate and enhanced matrix mineralization. This observation correlated with the presence of ectopic mineralization areas in the varicose vein walls. The use of warfarin, to inhibit MGP activity, or siRNA targeting MGP transcript induced a reduction in the exacerbated proliferation of varicose vein smooth muscle cells. Our results suggest that high expression of MGP in varicose veins may contribute to venous wall remodeling by affecting proliferation and mineralization processes probably through impaired carboxylation of MGP. In addition, suppressive subtractive hybridization results also produce a profile of differentially expressed genes in varicose veins, in particular extracellular matrix components. Further study of these genes will provide insights into their specific roles in the etiology of venous disease.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Calcinosis; Calcium-Binding Proteins; Case-Control Studies; Cell Proliferation; Cells, Cultured; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Extracellular Matrix; Extracellular Matrix Proteins; Gene Expression Profiling; Gene Expression Regulation; Glycerophosphates; Humans; Male; Matrix Gla Protein; Middle Aged; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; Protein Processing, Post-Translational; Reproducibility of Results; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; RNA Interference; RNA, Messenger; RNA, Small Interfering; Saphenous Vein; Up-Regulation; Varicose Veins; Warfarin

The association between deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and the hypercoagulable state is a well-established entity. However, the association between saphenous vein thrombophlebitis and coagulation abnormalities has not been investigated. Although thrombosis of varicose veins typically runs a benign course, phlebitis of the saphenous system may propagate to the deep system or saphenofemoral junction that requires more aggressive therapy. Given the potential similarity in clinical outcome between saphenous vein thrombophlebitis (SVT) and DVT, we have investigated the coagulation profile of patients presenting with isolated SVT.. Seventeen consecutive patients who presented to our vascular laboratory with isolated SVT had a coagulation profile performed that included antithrombin III (AT III), protein C (PC), protein S (PS) antigen and activity levels, activated protein C (APC) resistance, factor V DNA mutation, and coagulation factors II and X. All patients had duplex scans performed on both the superficial and deep venous systems. Patients with SVT only were treated with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and warm soaks as outpatients, whereas those patients found to have DVT or a clot at the saphenofemoral junction were fully anticoagulated with heparin and coumadin therapy. All 17 patients had at least one repeat coagulation profile performed up to 5 months after their SVT occurrence to ensure that the results of hypercoagulability were not transient.. Ten (59%) of the 17 patients with SVT had abnormal coagulation profiles on initial presentation. All 10 patients who were hypercoagulable had repeat tests and 6 (35%) remained abnormal. Four patients who had abnormal results converted to normal values. Seven patients with normal coagulation profiles on initial presentation had repeat tests and all remained normal.. The incidence of the hypercoagulable state in patients with SVT is high. Thirty-five percent of patients with isolated SVT had consistently abnormal coagulation profiles. Patients with SVT may be prone to the development of DVT or saphenofemoral junction thrombophlebitis and should be closely followed after the initial diagnosis of hypercoagulability.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Ambulatory Care; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Anticoagulants; Antigens; Antithrombin III; Blood Coagulation Disorders; DNA; Factor V; Factor X; Female; Femoral Vein; Fibrinolytic Agents; Follow-Up Studies; Heparin; Humans; Incidence; Male; Middle Aged; Mutation; Phlebitis; Postphlebitic Syndrome; Protein C; Protein S; Prothrombin; Saphenous Vein; Serine Proteinase Inhibitors; Thrombophlebitis; Thrombosis; Treatment Outcome; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex; Varicose Veins; Warfarin

Clinically suspect but nonfatal pulmonary embolism followed vein surgery in 16 of 4,080 patients operated on over a 10-year period from 1962 to 1971, an incidence of 0.39%. The presence of superficial thrombophlebitis, previous or recent thromboembolic disease, or chronic deep venous insufficiency was a statistically significant factor in patients who had embolism. Prophylactic postoperative anticoagulant treatment in those with a thrombotic background appears justified.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Female; Heparin; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Postoperative Complications; Pulmonary Embolism; Varicose Veins; Warfarin

Topics: Anticoagulants; Arrhythmias, Cardiac; Blood Cell Count; Cerebrovascular Disorders; Coronary Disease; Diabetes Mellitus; Dicumarol; Heart Failure; Heparin; Humans; Hypertension; Kidney Diseases; Liver Diseases; Myocardial Infarction; Peptic Ulcer; Pulmonary Embolism; Shock; Thromboembolism; Thrombophlebitis; Thrombosis; Varicose Veins; Warfarin