RFA of IPV may be a promising procedure, but patient and incompetent perforator vein selection is important and further standardization of the procedure is required. Comparative clinical trials between RFA and other therapies are warranted.

The postthrombotic syndrome (PTS) affects the deep venous system, and may also extend to the superficial venous system of the legs in patients with a documented history of deep vein thrombosis. Clinical symptoms of PTS may vary considerably and range from scarcely visible skin changes to changes in pigmentation, pain, discomfort, venous ectasia, edema, and ulceration. Our view based on standard investigations and the proper place of advanced investigations regarding the etiology and pathophysiology of PTS has lead to the Rotterdam approach, incorporating the evidence-based diagnostics and treatments available for PTS. High-quality duplex sonography is mandatory in all patients, providing anatomical and functional (reflux) information on both the deep and superficial venous systems, and non- or partially recanalized veins (occlusion) can also be detected using this technique. If the results of duplex sonography are not clear or a venous desobstruction procedure is to take place, phlebography will be the investigation of choice. There is a lot of evidence that medical elastic stockings (MECS) are effective in the prevention of PTS with documented reflux, obstruction, or both. When prescribing MECS, it is important to examine both elasticity and hysteresis of the fabric of the stockings to apply the correct dynamic pressure for each individual patient. Patients with documented PTS should receive life-long follow-up.

SummaryIncreased ambulatory venous pressure is the key feature of chronic venous insufficiency, and causes capillary leakage and venous edema. This capillary leakage can be measured with plethysmography and is called the capillary filtration rate (CFR).Reduction of the CFR leads to less edema formation and improves the healing of venous ulcers. Aim: To show that the use of compression ulcer stockings reduces the CFR. Methods: The capillary filtration rate of both legs of 17 patients, 6 with chronic venous insufficiency and 11 healthy subjects was measured with both (day and night) stockings, only the night stocking and without stockings. Results: The reduction of the CFR was significant (p <0.0001) for the total population in the group wearing 2 stockings versus 1 stocking (CFR=0.019 vs. 0.084 ml/100 ml/min), 1 stocking versus no stocking (CFR=0.149 vs. 0.084 ml/100 ml/min) and 2 stockings versus no stockings (CFR=0.019 vs. 0.149 ml/100 ml/ min). Conclusion: Compression ulcer stockings are highly effective in reducing CFR and thus reducing edema formation, which leads to improved healing of venous ulcers.