Internal compression therapy, a novel method in the treatment of deep venous insufficiency: 18-month clinical results

Objective To present 18-month clinical results for internal compression therapy (ICT) applied percutaneously and as a novel method in the treatment of primary deep venous insufficiency. Material and Method Thirty patients diagnosed with isolated primary femoral vein (FV) insufficiency between October 2017 and February 2018 were included in the study. Pre-procedural femoral vein diameters and reflux durations were measured. CEAP classification and Venous Clinical Severity Score (VCSS) were recorded. Pre-procedural CEAP classifications were CEAP 4 in nine patients and CEAP 3 in 21. Quality of life assessments were carried out using a Chronic Venous Insufficiency Questionnaire (CIVIQ-2). FV diameters were then reduced, and valve coaptation was established with the percutaneous application of hyaluronic acid and cyanoacrylate injected adjacent to a valve with non coapting leaflets. Venous diameters and reflux duration were again measured immediately after the procedure. Patients were followed-up at months 1, 6, and 18, at which times all parameters were re-evaluated. Results Eighteen of the 30 patients were women, and 12 were men. The mean duration of the procedure was 22.7 ± 2.9 (20–30) min. Patients’ FV diameters were 12.8 (11–14.7) mm before the procedure, 9.9 (9–11.5) mm immediately after, and also 9.9 (9–11.2) mm after 1.5 years (p