title: Performance of endovenous foam sclerotherapy in the USA for the treatment of venous disorders: ACP/SVM/AVF/SIR quality improvement guidelines.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This report summarizes the findings of the consensus panel based on the results of the comprehensive questionnaire of US American College of Phlebology annual congress attendees and results of the systematic meta-analysis of the literature and provides quality improvement guidelines for the use of endovenous foam sclerotherapy (EFS) for the treatment of venous disorders, as well as identifies areas of needed research.
  
  
  METHODS
  Based on the above data, quality improvement guidelines were developed and reviewed by the ten US consensus panel members and approved by their respective societies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  EFS is effective for the treatment of truncal and tributary varicose veins, both as primary treatment and for treatment of recurrence. It may improve the signs and symptoms associated with varicose veins including pain and swelling. EFS is contraindicated in patients who have experienced an allergic reaction to previous treatment with foam or liquid sclerosant, and in patients with acute venous thrombosis events secondary to EFS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These guidelines for the use of EFS in the treatment of venous disorders provide an initial framework for the safe and efficacious use of this therapy, and the impetus to promote the evaluation of the questions remaining regarding the use of EFS through well-designed randomized and cohort studies.
authors: Society for Vascular Medicine, Deerfield, IL, USA, and University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Rathbun
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Norris
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Morrison
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Gibson
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Raymond-Martimbeau
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Worthington-Kirsch
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Hohenwalter
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Lohr
authors: R
authors: R
authors: McLafferty
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Stoner
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D018962:Phlebotomy / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D058996:Quality Improvement; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012008:Recurrence; D012597:Sclerosing Solutions / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015911:Sclerotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D012955:Societies, Medical; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000628:therapy*; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D012597:Sclerosing Solutions
keywords: foam; sclerotherapy; varicose vein; venous disorders