title: Success of endovenous saphenous and perforator ablation in patients with symptomatic venous insufficiency receiving long-term warfarin therapy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Endovenous ablation of great (GSV) and short saphenous vein (SSV) reflux has become the initial procedure for most patients with symptomatic venous insufficiency, and perforator ablation is increasingly used to assist in healing venous ulceration. Many patients have comorbid conditions, which require long-term anticoagulation with warfarin; however, the impact of a long-term anticoagulation therapy on endovenous ablation procedures is not understood. This study aims to determine the effects of chronic anticoagulation on the outcomes of endovenous ablation procedures in patients with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI).
  
  
  METHODS
  Consecutive patients undergoing endovenous ablation for to Clinical severity (CEAP) class 2 through 6 CVI between January 1, 2005 and May 1, 2011 were evaluated; 781 patients with chronic venous reflux underwent 1,180 endovenous ablation procedures. We identified 45 patients receiving long-term anticoagulation therapy who underwent 71 endovenous ablation procedures, including 37 GSVs, 12 SSVs, and 22 perforator vein procedures. All patients underwent wound examination and duplex ultrasonography within 48 to 72 hours. Outcomes evaluated included closure rate and postoperative complications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of the patients was 69.7 ± 13 years. Most patients treated presented with active venous ulceration (59% CEAP 6). Indications for anticoagulation included atrial fibrillation (n = 9, 20%), previous deep venous thrombosis (n = 16, 36%), hypercoagulable state (n = 9, 20%), prosthetic valve (n = 2, 4%), and others (n = 9, 20%). All patients receiving warfarin therapy (100%) underwent a postprocedure ultrasonography, which confirmed the successful closure of the GSVs and SSVs; successful initial perforator closure was achieved in 59% of patients (13/22). Repeat perforator ablation yielded a closure rate of 77%. Compared with a matched cohort group of 35 patients (61 perforators) undergoing perforator ablation without anticoagulation, treated during the same period, there was no significant difference in the rates of successful closure between the groups. No patients developed postoperative deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolus. No additional thrombotic complications were noted. Three patients (4.2%) developed a small hematoma after the procedure, which resolved with conservative treatment. No patients required postoperative hospital admission, and no postprocedure deaths occurred.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on our protocol, patients with severe CVI who were receiving long-term warfarin therapy can be treated safely and effectively with endovenous radiofrequency ablation for incompetent GSVs, SSVs, and perforator veins. Long-term warfarin therapy did not have a significant effect on perforator closure rates compared with no anticoagulation.
authors.affiliation: Division of Vascular Surgery, UCLA Gonda (Goldschmied) Vascular Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
authors.forename: Viktor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Gabriel
authors.forename: Juan Carlos
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Jimenez
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alktaifi
authors.forename: Peter F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Lawrence
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: O'Connell
authors.forename: Brian G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Derubertis
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Rigberg
authors.forename: Hugh A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Gelabert
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015141:Los Angeles; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000601:surgery*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018616:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex; D014689:Venous Insufficiency / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D014859:Warfarin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D014859:Warfarin