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BACKGROUND Endovenous heat-induced thrombosis (EHIT) is a thrombus that extends from an ablated saphenous vein into the common femoral vein after endovenous radiofrequency ablation (RFA). OBJECTIVE To investigate the incidence, progression, treatment, and risk factors associated with EHIT-2 or greater after RFA. MATERIALS AND METHODS This retrospective study included patients diagnosed with symptomatic superficial venous incompetence that were treated by RFA of the great saphenous vein or anterior accessory saphenous vein during the July 2012 to December 2016 study period. Duplex ultrasound scanning was performed at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and every year after RFA to detect EHIT. RESULTS A total of 317 legs from 274 patients were included. The incidence of EHIT-2 or greater was 7.0%, including 5.4% EHIT-2, 1.3% EHIT-3, and 0.3% EHIT-4. No symptomatic pulmonary embolism was found. The independent risk factors for EHIT-2 or greater were vein diameter (p = .027) and concomitant sclerotherapy (p = .037). CONCLUSION The risk factors found to be independently associated with EHIT-2 or greater were large vein size and concomitant sclerotherapy. Screening for EHIT should be performed in patients with one or both of these risk factors within 1 week after RFA and in patients with postoperative symptoms suggestive of venous thromboembolism.

This study aimed to evaluate the clinical and technical success rates achieved after performing balloon-assisted maturation (BAM) for non-matured arteriovenous fistula (AVF). For this, a systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted by searching PubMed and Scopus databases. Studies regarding AVFs not suitable for use based on clinical examination or ultrasound criteria and BAM use for correcting the underlying stenotic lesion were eligible for inclusion in the meta-analysis. Accordingly, 13 studies with 1427 patients with non-matured AVF who underwent BAM were included. The pooled random effect for the clinical success rate was 90% (95% CI, 86%–93%), and that for the technical success rate was 97% (95% CI, 94%–99%). Complications after BAM were reported in 1.7%–41% of the patients. Complications included venous ruptures, wall hematomas, and puncture site hematomas. Early-BAM group had better clinical success rates. BAM is an effective intervention for salvaging non-matured AVF. The procedure is safe and feasible, and high clinical and technical success rates can be achieved. The complications were also manageable without serious sequelae.