Intervention for Varicose Veins of Lower Extremities Lowers the Brain Natriuretic Peptide Values in Varicose Vein Patients

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between varicose veins and heart failure, both of which cause edema of lower extremities. Materials and Methods: We enrolled 150 patients who underwent intervention for varicose veins of lower extremities between December 2012 and October 2015, and perioperative data were retrospectively investigated. Results: Of the 150 patients, 104 (69.3%) were females. The mean age was 66.8±10.6 years (27-85 years). Eighty (53.3%) patients had varicose veins in both legs. In all patients, the postoperative (brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) value was significantly lower than the preoperative BNP value (pre : post=39.3 : 30.5 pg/dl, P<0.0001). In patients with higher BNP values (>100 pg/dl), the postoperative BNP values were significantly lower than the preoperative BNP values (pre : post=192.7 : 166.1 pg/dl, P<0.0001). Body weights of the patients decreased differently between pre- and post-operation (pre : post=61.3 : 59.4 kg, P=0.0008). Conclusion: Intervention for varicose veins of lower extremities might be considered clinically useful for the improvement of cardiac function.