Evaluation of quality of life and photoplethysmography in patients with chronic venous insufficiency treated with foam sclerotherapy Avaliação da qualidade de vida e fotopletismografia em pacientes com insuficiência venosa crônica tratados através de escleroterapia com espuma

Background: Ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy plays a major role in treatment of chronic venous insufficiency, providing clinical and hemodynamic improvement to patients undergoing treatment. Objectives: To examine the relationships between venous refilling time and impact of venous disease on quality of life and between changes in venous refilling time and improvement of symptoms after ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy for chronic venous insufficiency. Methods: Thirty-two patients classified as C4, C5 or C6 answered a questionnaire on quality of life and symptoms and their venous filling time was measured using photoplethysmography before and 45 days after treatment of chronic venous insufficiency with ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy. Results: Statistically significant improvements were observed in quality of life scores and in venous filling time and in the following symptoms: aching, heavy legs, restless legs, swelling, burning sensations, and throbbing (p<0.0001). A similar improvement was also seen in the work and social domains of quality of life (p<0.0001). Conclusions: As confirmed by questionnaire scores and venous refilling times, ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy demonstrated efficacy and resulted in high satisfaction levels and low rates of major complications.