Experience with VariClose® vein sealing system in the Czech Republic

Abstract

Objectives The aim of this study was to assess occlusion rates of saphenous veins treated with the VariClose vein sealing system. Methods A retrospective analysis including a total of 64 patients from four centres from the Czech Republic. Occlusion was defined as a non-compressible vein with absence of flow with exception to the first 3 cm from the saphenofemoral or saphenopopliteal junction on duplex ultrasound. Results In 64 patients a total of 79 veins were treated. Technical success of the procedure was achieved in 74 (94%) of cases. The mean follow-up was 5.5 months. The closure rates calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months were 94%, 85%, 69% and 36%, respectively, and there were no significant differences between centers. The average difference in VCSS score before and after the procedure was 1.8. Conclusions The present study demonstrated surprisingly worse occlusion rates than the current literature.

Comparison of cyanoacrylate agents VariClose^® and VenaSeal^™ in the treatment of insufficient saphenous veins

“…5 We followed up our fi rst study with a nationwide study from four centres in the Czech Republic. 6 The low occlusion rates in both studies was the impetus for us to abandon the VariClose ® system and instead start using the VenaSeal ™ system. This pre- sented us the unique opportunity to compare two different cyanoacrylate adhesive closure systems, which is, to the best of our knowledge, the fi rst such analysis.…”

“…However, results from our multicentre study on the VariClose ® system in the Czech Republic were also poor. 6 Additionally, we had as little experience with the VenaSeal ™ system as with VariClose ® before the start of the study period.…”

“…Data from patients treated with the VariClose ® system were used in our previous publications. 5,6 However, due to our bad experience with this venous glue we did not want to use it in more patients as we felt this would be unethical. The present study is the fi rst comparative study of two different venous glues and one of the few analyses performed outside of Turkey demonstrating very surprising information contrasting with data presenting in the literature.…”

“…This group of patients was used in our previous two studies. 5,6 From May 2019 to April 2022 we used the VenaSeal ™ system. Between May and November 2019 patients could choose either option.…”

“…The occlusion rate at 12 months was 36%, considerably lower than the previous reports in the literature. 4,6 We now no longer use the VariClose ® system and are instead using the VenaSeal ™ system. The reason for performing this study was to compare the clinical effi cacy of VariClose ® and VenaSeal™ in terms of occlusion and complication rates from a single centre in the Czech Republic.…”