Journal of Vascular Surgery
Volume 44, Issue 3 , Pages 588-594, September 2006

Clinical presentation and venous severity scoring of patients with extended deep axial venous reflux

Presented at the Eighteenth Annual Meeting of the American Venous Forum, Miami, FL, February 25, 2006.

  • Jean Luc Gillet, MD

      Affiliations

    • Vascular Medicine Clinic, Bourgoin, France
    • Corresponding Author InformationReprint requests: Jean-Luc Gillet, MD, Vascular Medicine, 51 Bis avenue Professeur Tixier, 38300 Bourgoin-Jallieu, France.
    • ,
  • Michel R. Perrin, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Vascular Surgery, Clinique du Grand Large Decines, France
    • ,
  • François André Allaert, MD, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Biostatistics, Cenbiotech CHU du Bocage, Dijon, France.

Received 18 February 2006; accepted 26 April 2006.

Article Outline

Background

The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and profile of patients presenting with chronic venous insufficiency (class C3-C6) and cascading deep venous reflux involving femoral, popliteal, and crural veins to the ankle.

Methods

From September 2001 to April 2004, 2894 patients were referred to our center for possible venous disorders. The superficial, deep, and perforator veins of both legs were investigated with color duplex scanning. The criterion for inclusion in this study was the existence of cascading deep venous reflux involving the femoral, popliteal, and crural veins to the ankle whose duration had to be longer than 1 second for the femoropopliteal vein and longer than 0.5 seconds for the crural vein. The advanced CEAP classification, the Venous Clinical Severity Score (VCSS), the Venous Segmental Disease Score (reflux; VSDS), and the Venous Disability Score (VDS) were used.

Results

Seventy-one limbs in 60 patients were identified. Eleven limbs (15.5%) were classified as C3, 36 (50.7%) as C4, 21 (29.6%) as C5, and 3 (4.2%) as C6. A primary etiology was identified in 11 (15.5%) limbs, and a postthrombotic etiology was identified in 60 limbs (84.5%). In the latter group, all but four patients were aware that they had had a previous deep venous thrombosis. In addition to femoropopliteal and calf veins, reflux was present in the common femoral vein in 60 (84.5%), the deep femoral vein in 27 (38%), and the muscular calf veins in 62 (87.3%). Incompetent perforator veins were identified in 53 (74.6%) limbs. Fifty-one (71.8%) limbs had a combination of superficial venous insufficiency (AS2, AS2,3, AS4, or their combination) previously treated or present. Of these, 11 had primary etiology alone, and 40 had a secondary etiology with or without primary disease. Means and 95% confidence intervals of the VCSS, VSDS, and VDS were 9.72 (8.91-10.53), 7.2 (6.97-7.42), and 1.08 (0.83-1.32), respectively. A significant increase in the VCSS and in the VSDS (P < .0001) paralleled the CEAP clinical class. The VDS was higher in the C3 and C6 classes but did not reach significance. There was a significant link between the pain magnitude in the VCSS and the VDS (P < .0001). Severity of pain and high VDS did not depend on the wearing of elastic compression stockings. VCSS increased significantly according to the presence of an incompetent perforator vein (P < .05) and/or reflux in the deep femoral vein (P < .05).

Conclusions

This study confirmed the value of the Venous Severity Score as an instrument for evaluation of chronic venous insufficiency. A significant increase in the VCSS and VSDS paralleled CEAP clinical class; VDS was higher in classes C3 and C6 without reaching significance, probably because of the small size of the samples. Some clinical and anatomic features need to be clarified to facilitate scoring.

 

The CEAP classification was conceived and created at the sixth annual meeting of the American Venous Forum in Maui, Hawaii, in 1994 by an international ad hoc committee.1 It is an internationally recognized classification. It has been published in 25 medical journals or books, has been translated into 8 languages, and was recently revised.2 This classification is only descriptive in scope and cannot quantify the severity of chronic venous disorders (CVD). The Venous Severity Score (VSS) has supplemented the original classification3 and was updated in 2000 (the VSS is also available online at http://www.jvascsurg.org; click on the Special Collection section and then the Reporting Standards section).4 With the CEAP classification and the VSS, we now have an instrument that is descriptive and can quantify CVD. However, although the CEAP has been widely circulated among physicians specializing in venous disease and is used in scientific research, an analysis of the literature shows that use of the VSS continues to be limited.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of and profile of patients presenting with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) and cascading deep postthrombotic or primary venous reflux involving the femoral, popliteal, and crural veins to the ankle5 (C3-C6; primary etiology, s; Ad, s, p).

Back to Article Outline

Methods 

From September 2001 to April 2004 (32 months), 2894 patients were referred to our center for possible venous disorders (C0s-C6). The superficial, deep, and perforator veins of both legs in all patients were investigated with color duplex scanning (DS). The criteria for inclusion in this study were the presence of CVI (C3-C6 according to the updated CEAP2) and cascading deep venous reflux involving in all cases the femoral, popliteal, and crural veins to the ankle, whose duration had to be longer than 1 second for the femoropopliteal vein and longer than 0.5 seconds for the crural vein.6, 7 We used DS with the Vivid 3 scanner from General Electric Healthcare Technologies (Vingmed) (Waukesha, Wis) and a linear probe (frequency, 7.5 MHz; range, 5-10 MHz) to investigate the lower limbs and a phased array probe (frequency, 2.5 MHz; range, 2.25-5 MHz) to investigate the abdomen and pelvis.

In all patients, three protocols were successively used to assess deep vein reflux. The first consisted of performing a Valsalva maneuver with the patient in a supine position. We considered a reflux significant if its duration was greater than or equal to 1 second in the common femoral vein and was greater than or equal to 0.5 seconds in the deep femoral vein (DFV),6, 7 measured 2 or 3 cm from its termination into the common femoral vein. In a second phase, with the patient standing with his or her back to the examiner and holding onto a frame, with the knee flexed slightly and the calf muscle relaxed, we looked for the existence of a reflux in the femoral vein, the popliteal vein, and the gastrocnemial and soleal veins by exerting manual compression on the calf with sudden release. In a third phase, the patient was installed seated at the edge of the examining table with his or her legs hanging, resting on a stool. By exerting compression at the base of the calf muscle and the plantar sole of the foot, we looked for a reflux in the peroneal and posterior tibial veins in the lower third of the leg, as well as in the gastrocnemial veins and the soleal veins.

The gastrocnemial veins were evaluated at their termination and along their intramuscular course. A reflux whose duration was greater than or equal to 1 second in the femoral vein at mid thigh and in the popliteal vein and of at least 0.5 seconds in the axial and muscular calf veins was considered significant.6, 7

A reflux in the thigh and/or calf perforator veins was sought by means of manual compression of the lower third of the thigh and/or the calf followed by sudden release, with the patient in the standing position and then in the sitting position as previously described. An outward flow whose duration was greater than 0.5 seconds8 was considered significant.

The following patients were excluded from the study:

1.Patients presenting with a concomitant obstructive postthrombotic syndrome (PTS)9 so that the hemodynamic disorder induced by the obstructive syndrome did not interfere with that of the reflux. The criterion used for qualifying obstruction was the one described by Rutherford et al4: total vein occlusion at some point in the segment or more than 50% narrowing of at least half of the segment.

2.Patients with PTS secondary to a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) that occurred less than 1 year previously.

3.Bedridden patients or subjects with only very limited mobility and those who presented with an altered mental condition that made it impossible to interview them.

PTS was differentiated from primary deep venous insufficiency by the demonstration of morphologic abnormalities in deep vein trunks by venous DS investigation that showed evidence of postthrombotic valvular or transmural vein wall abnormalities. In some patients, venography or DS previously performed at the time of an acute episode provided evidence of an initial DVT. The advanced CEAP classification, the Venous Clinical Severity Score (VCSS), the Venous Segmental Disease Score (reflux; VSDS), and the Venous Disability Score (VDS) were used in all patients.

Quantitative data are reported as means ± SD, and qualitative data are reported as percentages and sample sizes. The between-group comparisons were performed by one-way χ2 tests and Kruskal-Wallis tests. The statistical computer software SAS version 8.2 (SAS Institute, Cary, NC) was used for analysis. Values of P < .05 were considered to be significant.

Back to Article Outline

Results 

Seventy-one lower limbs in 60 patients were identified, yielding a prevalence of 2% in patients referred to our institution for possible CVD. Forty-two left lower limbs and 29 right lower limbs were involved. There were 11 cases of bilateral involvement (reflux). Thirty-four women and 26 men were enrolled in the study (age [mean ± SD], 65 ± 14 years; range, 29-85 years; median, 69 years; interquartile range, 59-75 years).

CEAP classification 

Clinical classification 

Each patient was described by his or her highest clinical class. Eleven limbs (15.5%) were classified as C3, 36 (50.7%) as C4, 21 (29.6%) as C5, and 3 (4.2%) as C6. According to the criteria at inclusion, no patient was identified C0 to C2. Sixty-one (85.9%) patients were symptomatic.

Etiologic classification 

A primary etiology was identified in 11 (15.5%) and a postthrombotic etiology in 60 (84.5%) limbs. In the latter group, all but four patients were aware that they had had a previous DVT. The initial DVT occurred on average 25.5 years previously (SD, 15.6 years; range, 2-58 years; median, 25.0 years; 95% confidence interval [CI], 21.3-29.7 years). Thirty-nine patients reported that they had had only 1 episode of lower limb DVT, whereas 21 patients may have presented with several episodes of DVT in the lower limb.

Anatomic classification 

Superficial (As) 

Fifty-one limbs (71.8%) had a combination of superficial venous insufficiency As2, As2, 3, As4, or their combination as defined in the CEAP classification,1 previously treated or present. Of these, 11 had a primary etiology alone, and 40 had secondary etiology with or without primary disease. Superficial venous insufficiency was significantly (P < .05) more frequent in patients with primary etiology (11/11; 100%) than in those with postthrombotic etiology (40/60; 66.6%).

Deep (Ad) 

All of the patients had grade 4 deep axial venous reflux (inclusion criterion), whose segmental description is listed in Table I. Two patients presented with an abnormal external iliac vein (Ad 9) without an obstruction pattern.

Table I. Deep venous reflux segmental description
Segmental localization (Ad classification)n (%)
CFV (Ad 11)60(84.5)
DFV (Ad 12)27(38)
FV (Ad 13)71(100)
PV (Ad 14)71(100)
Calf vein(s) (Ad 15)71(100)
Muscular vein(s) (Ad 16)62(87.3)

CFV, Common femoral vein; DFV, deep femoral vein; FV, femoral vein; PV, popliteal vein.

The number after Ad is the number used in the anatomic description of the CEAP classification.

Perforator veins (Ap) 

The existence of at least 1 incompetent perforator vein in the calf (Ap 18) was observed in 53 limbs (53/71; 74.64%). An incompetent perforator vein in the thigh was also present concomitantly in six limbs (Ap 17-18). We did not observe the isolated existence of an incompetent perforator vein in the thigh. In limbs classified as C3, an incompetent perforator vein was identified in 6 (54.5%) of 11. In limbs classified C4, an incompetent perforator vein was recognized in 27 (75%) of 36. In limbs classified C5, an incompetent perforator vein was recognized in 17 (80.9%) of 21. At least one incompetent perforator vein was identified in each of three limbs (100%) classified as C6. An increased incidence of incompetent perforator veins according to clinical class was observed but did not reach statistical significance.

Severity scores 

Means, ranges, and 95% CIs of the VCSS, VSDS, and VDS were 9.72, 4.00 to 23.00, and 8.91 to 10.53; 7.20, 5.00 to 9.50, and 6.97 to 7.42; and 1.08, 0.00 to 3.00, and 0.83 to 1.32, respectively. The VDS could not be determined in five patients who were unable to carry out usual activities but were not wearing compression stockings and did not submit to limb elevation. This group is unlisted in the VDS scoring. Table II lists the values of each score according to the clinical class. A significant increase in the VCSS (Kruskal-Wallis, 23.22; P < .0001) and in the VSDS (Kruskal-Wallis, 23.22; P < .05) paralleled the CEAP clinical class.

Table II. Mean ± SD, median, range, and 95% CI of the VSS according to clinical class
VariableC classKruskal-Wallis
C3C4C5C6
VCSS
Mean ± SD6.73±1.859.33±2.3710.48±2.5820.00±3.61
Median (range)6(4-10)9(6-17)10(5-16)21(16-23)23.22
95% CI5.49-7.978.53-10.139.30-11.6511.04-28.96P < .0001
VSDS
Mean ± SD6.77±0.937.03±0.937.62±0.897.83±0.76
Median (range)6.5(5-9)7(5-9.5)7.5(6-9.5)8(7-8.5)10.52
95% CI6.15-7.406.71-7.347.21-8.035.94-9.73P < .05
VDS
Mean ± SD1.60±0.970.91±0.980.95±0.972.50±0.71
Median (range)1.5(0-3)1(0-3)1(0-2)2.5(2-3)7.29
95% CI0.91-2.290.56-1.260.51-1.40−3.85-8.85NS

CI, Confidence interval; VSS, Venous Severity Score; VCSS, Venous Clinical Severity Score; VSDS, Venous Segmental Disease Score; VDS, Venous Disability Score; NS, not significant.

The VDS was higher in the C3 and C6 classes but did not reach significance. Table III shows the distribution by number and percentage of VDS scores according to the CEAP clinical class.

Table III. Distribution of the Venous Disability Score (VDS) according to clinical class and total number
VDSC3C4C5C6Total
01(9.1)16(44.4)10(47.6)0(0)27(38.0)
14(36.4)5(13.9)2(9.5)0(0)11(15.5)
23(27.3)11(30.6)9(42.9)1(33.3)24(33.8)
32(18.2)1(2.8%)0(0)1(33.3)4(5.6)
U1(9.1)3(8.3)0(0)1(33.3)5(7)

Data are n (%).

U, Patient unable to carry out usual activities but not wearing compression stockings and not submitting to limb elevation.

We analyzed the pain item in the VCSS in all lower limbs and according to clinical class. Then we classified the patients into two groups: pain absent or mild (scoring 0 or 1) in 84.5% (n = 60) and moderate or severe (scoring 2 or 3) in 15.5% (n = 11). Pain rated 2 or 3 was statistically more frequent (Fisher test; P < .01) in classes C3 and C6 than in classes C4 and C5.

We also analyzed activity according to clinical class; 62 (87.3%) limbs allowed normal activity (VDS 0, 1, or 2), and 9 (12.7%) did not (VDS 3; unlisted). Activity was more adversely affected (Fisher test; P < .01) in classes C3 and C6 than in classes C4 and C5. However, these results should be interpreted cautiously because of the small sample size studied.

Table IV shows that there was a significant link between pain magnitude and the VDS (Fisher test; P < .0001). In other words, when the pain was absent or mild, the patient was disabled in 95% of cases; conversely, patients with moderate or severe pain were either handicapped or not (54.5% vs 45.5%).

Table IV. Activity according to pain magnitude
Pain scoringVDS 0-2VDS 3, UP value (Fisher test)
0-195%(57/60)5%(3/60)<.0001
2-345.5%(5/11)54.5%(6/11)

VDS, Venous Disability Score; U, patient unable to carry out usual activities but not wearing compression stockings and not submitting to limb elevation.

We analyzed pain severity and VDS in patients who were wearing elastic compression stockings or not, knowing that only stockings exerting 15 mm Hg of pressure at the ankle were taken into account. No significant difference was found between groups.

We sought to determine whether pain severity, the existence of at least one incompetent perforator vein (Ap 17 or 18), an incompetent saphenous vein (As 2, 3, or 4), or a reflux in the DFV (Ad 12) resulted in an increase in VCSS. VCSS increased, but not significantly (Kruskal-Wallis, 5.72; not significant), according to pain scoring.

The existence of an incompetent perforator vein produced a significant increase in the VCSS (Kruskal-Wallis, 5.89; P < .05). In the group of patients (n = 53) who presented with at least one incompetent perforator vein, the mean ± SD of VCSS was 10.25 ± 3.59 (range, 5-23; median, 10; 95% CI, 9.25-11.24). It was 8.17 ± 2.33 (range, 4-14; median, 8; 95% CI, 7.01-9.33) in the group of patients (n = 18) without an incompetent perforator vein.

The existence of reflux in the DFV also produced a significant increase in the VCSS (Kruskal-Wallis, 2.20; P < .05). In the group of patients (n = 27) who had a reflux in the DFV, the mean ± SD VCSS was 11.07 ± 4.23 (range, 6-23; median, 10; 95% CI, 9.40-12.75). It was 8.89 ± 2.54 (range, 4-16; median, 9; 95% CI, 8.12-9.66) in the group of patients (n = 44) without reflux in the DFV.

The existence of an incompetent saphenous vein produced an increase in the VCSS, but this did not reach significance (Kruskal-Wallis, 1.29). In the group of patients with an incompetent saphenous vein (n = 41), the mean ± SD VCSS was 10.00 ± 3.57 (range, 4-23; median, 9; 95% CI, 8.87-11.13). In the group of patients who did not have an incompetent saphenous vein (n = 30), this mean was 9.33 ± 3.24 (range, 5-21; median, 9; 95% CI, 8.12-10.54).

Back to Article Outline

Discussion 

In agreement with most authors, we considered the duration of reflux as the selective or more reliable parameter. Our cutoff values were those chosen by most authors.6, 7, 10 In perforating veins, the cutoff value used in most studies is 0.5 seconds; however, a recent study suggests that it could be decreased to 0.35 seconds.7

Study protocols differ with different teams of investigators. The patient can be assessed in the supine position, standing position, or sitting position. Pneumatic cuff compression provides reproducible results for the measurement of reflux.7 We chose to perform distal manual compression with sudden release, which is easier to perform in daily practice insofar as this method accurately induces a reflux compared with pneumatic compression.6, 11 Apart from the femoral junction, which we believe can be investigated more readily with the patient in the supine position by means of a Valsalva maneuver,6 we investigated patients in both the standing and sitting positions.

The rate of secondary etiology was very high (85%). This rate might be related to the fact that patients were investigated only by DS without complementary venography.

We identified 27 cases (27/71; 38%) of reflux in the DFV. According to Labropoulos et al,7 this vein is rarely the site of reflux. It is possible that the incidence of reflux in the DFV may be higher if such a reflux is sought by compressing the termination of the femoral vein.

The criteria necessary to estimate the obstructive component of PTS vary in the literature. Haenen et al6 considered that a vein is noncompressible when it is not totally compressed under gentle pressure of the duplex probe. Insofar as we used the Rutherford venous severity scoring,4 we used the criteria defining obstruction as proposed in the same article. Certainly, endoluminal ultrasonography12 would make it possible to better assess the obstructive component of a PTS, but it is an invasive method used mainly to assess the iliac veins.

We included in this study three lower limbs with an obstructive component (femoral or popliteal) that did not meet the above-mentioned criteria. It is worth noting that during the same period, we identified 14 lower limbs in patients presenting with a significant obstructive venous syndrome.

All patients with a primary etiology had a combination of superficial venous insufficiency previously treated or present (AS2, AS2,3, AS4, or their combination). This concept is in agreement with published data.13 Superficial venous insufficiency was less frequently observed in patients with PTS (P < .05).

We observed an increase in the incidence of incompetent perforator veins based on clinical class, but this did not reach significance, probably as the result of inadequate statistical power. This increased incidence is in agreement with published data.14, 15, 16, 17, 18

The CEAP classification is widely used internationally by venous disease specialists. It provides a precise description of patients presenting with CVD, but it does not quantify the severity of this disorder. Various rating scales to quantify it have been developed, but none of them has truly been validated in daily phlebologic practice. We will mention the scale used by Prandoni et al,19 in which five symptoms (heaviness, pain, cramps, pruritus, and paresthesia) and six signs (edema, induration, hyperpigmentation, new venous ectasia, redness, and pain during calf compression) are scored from 0 to 3.

The VSS,4 by differentiating the clinical features, the anatomic and pathophysiologic components, and the effect of CVD on the patient’s activity, opens up new perspectives. However, these tools are little used in everyday clinical practice, and only the VCSS has been validated.20 Originally designed to evaluate the efficacy of treatments of CVD, they have been used to determine the severity of CVD or to determine the presence of the disease.21 In this study, we simultaneously evaluated the three scores. In our opinion, they represent a true advance in the evaluation of a group of patients with CVI, but some points need to be clarified so that they can be fully usable in daily phlebologic practice.

In VCSS, isolated insufficiency of the small saphenous vein has not been identified as a separate entity. We gave a score of 2 to this case. In the same way, we scored edema that develops in the afternoon and remains limited to the ankle as 2 points and edema that exists from the morning as 3 points, even if it does not require a change in the patient’s usual activity or elevation of the affected limb. Widespread pigmentation above the lower third of the leg and of long duration was scored 3.

Compression therapy requires a few comments. A patient can wear elastic compression stockings daily but may not elevate his or her legs (we scored this situation as 3). No mention was made of the force of compression. When a patient wears compression stockings that are not suited to his or her clinical condition, scoring is difficult.

For VSDS (reflux), the number of incompetent perforator veins was not differentiated (one or more). We assigned a score of 0.5 points and 1 point to the existence of one or more incompetent perforator veins in the thigh and the leg, respectively.

In the calf, the VSDS attributes two points when multiple veins are incompetent and one point when only the posterior tibial veins are incompetent. When only the fibular veins are incompetent, scoring is difficult. We assigned two points to this situation. We also noted that isolated incompetence of leg muscular calf veins was not taken in account.

Scoring of incompetence of the great saphenous vein can give rise to debate. To assign a full score, all valves in the segment have to be incompetent. It is worth noting that this situation is not the most frequent one.22, 23

Calculation of the VDS also calls for several comments. Usual activities, defined as patients’ activities before the onset of disability from venous disease, are sometimes difficult to assess in patients in whom venous disease has been present for a long duration. Bilateral involvement (16.4% of patients in our series) logically interferes with this score. We suggest that the VDS score for each patient should be based on the worst limb in forthcoming studies. For limb elevation, practice and compliance are difficult to estimate. A patient may not be able to carry out usual activities but may not wear compression stockings (or may use an unsuitable type of compression) or elevate his or her lower limbs. No score then can be assigned.

In our series, all of the patients evaluated presented with CVI. A significant increase in the VCSS paralleled the CEAP clinical class. This notion has been highlighted in studies by Meissner et al20 and Ricci et al21 in less selective groups of patients. We have confirmed this in a series of patients with a CVI and with grade 4 deep vein reflux. Besides, we found a significant increase in the VSDS that paralleled the clinical class.

Pain scoring was more severe in the C3 and C6 classes compared with C4 and C5; VDS was also more severe, although not significantly, in the C3 and C6 classes compared with C4 and C5: this demonstrates that the C class is not a good tool to measure the severity of disease and disability. VSS seems more suitable for this purpose.

Patients with edema had more limitation of activities and a higher pain score than patients classified as C4 and C5. Because patients were enrolled before 2004, the updated C4 group2 was not used. The C4 updated group, subdivided into C4a and b, might have shown a significant difference between these two subgroups. Healed ulcer (C5) was not responsible for major pain and activity reduction. All of the patients in this group had normal activity without (n = 12) or with (n = 9) elastic compression. Although the sample size of the C6 group was small, all of the patients in this group presented with pain and major impairment in their activity.

It is difficult to assess the effect of wearing elastic compression stockings on pain severity and VDS. Nevertheless, among the 62 patients with normal activity (VDS 0-2), two thirds (42/62; 67.7%) wore elastic compression stockings. Pain was absent or occasional in 61 (85.9%) of 71, and 46 of 71 wore elastic compression stockings. Compression did not influence pain severity and VDS; this is not in disagreement, because patients with severe pain and VDS were in most cases compliant with compression since the onset of signs of CVI. Only three patients (4.2%) presenting with severe pain did not wear elastic compression stockings.

The part played by incompetent perforator veins in the pathophysiology of CVI remains controversial. In our studied population, we observed that the existence of at least one incompetent perforator vein resulted in a significant increase in VCSS.

In the North American Subfascial Endoscopic Perforator Surgery (NASEPS),24 the patient’s clinical condition was improved after ligation of the perforator veins, but this condition was not assessed by VSS. If the criterion evaluated was recurrence of venous ulcer, then the recurrence rate was much higher when PTS had been identified.

The existence of an incompetent saphenous vein resulted only in nonsignificant elevation of the VCSS. The existence of reflux in the DFV produced a significant increase in the VCSS. This confirmed the dominance of deep venous reflux over superficial venous reflux in the pathophysiology of clinical disorders observed in patients presenting concomitantly with extended deep axial and superficial venous reflux.25, 26

Some studies have evaluated VSS in daily phlebologic practice. Meissner et al20 evaluated the validity and reliability of the VCSS. This score was measured in 64 patients (128 lower limbs) consulting for CVD; 47.2% (60/128) were CVI patients. The mean score was highly correlated with CEAP clinical class. Scores in 68 limbs evaluated twice by the same observer differed by a mean of only 0.8 (P = .15), with a reliability coefficient of 0.6. Three observers (a vascular nurse and two vascular surgeons) scored the patients the same day in the assessment of intraobserver variability. Mean scores of 8.0 ± 5.1, 7.2 ± 5.1, and 8.0 ± 5.4 were obtained in 63 limbs evaluated by all 3 investigators (P = .02). Only the component scores for pain, inflammation, and pigmentation showed significant (P < .05) variability. In agreement with Meissner et al, we suggest that the VCSS could benefit from minor clarifications.

Ricci et al21 evaluated the relationship between venous ultrasound scan and VCSS. VCSS was measured in 210 patients (420 lower limbs) in a kindred population with protein C deficiency. Few lower limbs were affected by CVI, because VCSS was 0 in 283 limbs and the highest total score in any limb was 8. A good correlation was seen with the VCSS and venous ultrasound scan abnormalities. In this study, the VCSS was not used to quantify the severity of the CVD. This study found that it was a useful screening tool to separate patients with and without CVD. Kakkos et al27 conducted an observational study to validate the VCSS, VSDS, and VDS and to evaluate the VCSS, VDS, and CEAP clinical class and score in quantifying the outcome of varicose vein surgery. Forty-five patients who underwent superficial venous surgery for primary etiology were prospectively included. CEAP clinical score, VCSS, and VDS demonstrated a linear association with CEAP clinical class (P < .001, P = .001, and P = .002, respectively). VSDS demonstrated a weak correlation with VCSS (R = 0.29; P = .048) and VDS (R = 0.31; P = .03).

An observational survey28 was conducted on a representative sample of French angiologists. The objective was to test and evaluate the interest in and usefulness of the daily practice of VCSS, VSDS, and VDS for CVD. The scores were tested on 1900 patients by 398 angiologists, who completed an opinion questionnaire. Because they were assessed as relevant by most, their use in daily practice for C4, C5, and C6 patients was considered by a minority of the angiologists: 42.0% for the VCSS, 32.9% for the VSDS, and 38.7% for the VDS. These percentages were lower for C1, C2, and C3 patients. Their opinion was that these scores seem difficult to use in daily practice, and in particular they seem applicable to evaluate therapeutic efficacy in CVD.

In conclusion, the CEAP classification, internationally recognized and widely used, accurately describes patients who present with CVD. Its aim is not to quantify the latter, even though the CEAP clinical class has sometimes been used for this purpose. This function applies to the VSS. In a group of patients with CVI and cascading deep venous reflux involving the femoral, popliteal, and crural veins to the ankle, ie, the most severe anatomic/hemodynamic form of deep vein reflux,25, 26 we demonstrated that a significant increase in the VCSS and in the VSDS paralleled the CEAP clinical class but that VDS was higher in classes C3 and C6, without reaching significance, probably because of the small size of the samples. Determination of VSS proved easy in the studied population provided that a precise venous DS protocol for examination was followed and that a few clarifications were made. In the future, this should result in a much wider use of VSS with the aim of evaluating the efficacy of treatments of CVD and also determining the severity of the disease, at least in the most serious forms, ie, CVI.

Back to Article Outline

Author contributions 

Conception and design: JLG, MRP

Analysis and interpretation: JLG, MRP, FAA

Data collection: JLG

Writing the article: JLG, MRP

Critical revision of the article: JLG, MRP, FAA

Final approval of the article: JLG, MRP, FAA

Statistical analysis: FAA

Overall responsibility: JLG, MRP

Back to Article Outline

References 

  1. Porter JM , Moneta GL  An International Consensus Committee on Chronic Venous Disease . Reporting standards in venous disease (an update) . J Vasc Surg . 1995;27:635–645
  2. Eklöf B , Rutherford RB , Bergan JJ , Carpentier PH , Gloviczki P , Kistner RL , et al.  American Venous Forum International Ad Hoc Committee for Revision of the CEAP Classification   Revision of the CEAP classification for chronic venous disorders (consensus statement) . J Vasc Surg . 2004;40:1248–1252
  3. Beebe HG , Bergan JJ , Bergqvist D , Eklof B , Eriksson I , Goldman MP , et al.   Classification and grading of chronic venous disease in the lower limbs . Int Angiol . 1995;14:198–201
  4. Rutherford RB , Padberg FT , Comerota AJ , Kistner RL , Meissner MH , Moneta GL . Venous severity scoring (an adjunct to venous outcome assessment) . J Vasc Surg . 2000;31:1307–1312
  5. Kistner RL , Ferris EB , Randhawa G , Kamida C . A method of performing descending venography . J Vasc Surg . 1986;4:464–468
  6. Haenen JH , Janssen MCH , Van Langen H , van Asten WNJC , Wollersheim H , van’t Hof MA , et al.   The postthrombotic syndrome in relation to venous hemodynamics, as measured by means of duplex scanning and strain-gauge plethysmography . J Vasc Surg . 1999;29:1071–1076
  7. Labropoulos N , Tiongson J , Tassiopoulos AK , Kang SS , Mansour MA , Baker WH . Definition of venous reflux in lower extremity veins . J Vasc Surg . 2003;38:793–798
  8. Sarin S , Scurr JH , Coleridge-Smith PD . Medial calf perforators in venous disease (the significance of outward flow) . J Vasc Surg . 1992;16:40–46
  9. Perrin M, Gillet JL, Guex JJ. Syndrome post-thrombotique [in French]. Encycl Méd Chir (Elsevier SAS, Paris, tous droits réservés), Angéiologie, 19-2040, 2003,12p.
  10. Haenen JH , van Langen H , Janssen MCH , Wollersheim H , van’t Hof MA , van Asten WN , et al.   Venous duplex scanning of the leg; range, variability and reproducibility . Clin Sci . 1999;96:271–277
  11. Sarin S , Sommerville K , Farrah J , Scurr JH , Coleridge Smith PD . Duplex ultrasonography for assessment of venous valvular function of the lower limb . Br J Surg . 1994;81:1591–1595
  12. Neglen P , Raju S . Balloon dilatation and stenting of chronic iliac vein obstruction (technical aspects and early outcome) . J Endovasc Surg . 2000;7:79–91
  13. Perrin M , Gillet JL . Insuffisance valvulaire non post-thrombotique du système veineux profond des membres inférieurs [in French] . Encycl Méd Chir . 2003; (Elsevier SAS, Paris, tous droits réservés), Angéiologie, 19-2020, 2003, 6p
  14. Myers KA , Ziegenbein RW , Zeng GH , Matthews PG . Duplex ultrasonography scanning for chronic venous disease (patterns of venous reflux) . J Vasc Surg . 1995;21:605–612
  15. Delis KT , Ibegbuna V , Nicolaides AN , Lauro A , Hafez H . Prevalence and distribution of incompetent perforating veins in chronic venous insufficiency . J Vasc Surg . 1998;28:815–825
  16. Labropoulos N , Mansour MA , Kang SS , Gloviczki P , Baker WH . New insights into perforator vein incompetence . Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg . 1999;18:228–234
  17. Stuart WP , Adam DJ , Allan PL , Ruckley CV , Bradbury AW . The relationship between the number, competence, and diameter of medial calf perforating veins and the clinical status in healthy subjects and patients with lower-limb venous disease . J Vasc Surg . 2000;32:138–143
  18. Stuart WP , Lee AJ , Allan PL , Ruckley CV , Bradbury AW . Most incompetent calf perforating veins are found in association with superficial venous reflux . J Vasc Surg . 2001;34:774–778
  19. Prandoni P , Villalta S , Bagatella P , Rossi L , Marchiori A , Picciolo A , et al.   The clinical course of deep-vein thrombosis. Prospective long-term follow-up of 528 symptomatic patients . Haematologica . 1997;82:423–428
  20. Meissner MH , Natiello C , Nicholls SC . Performance characteristics of the venous clinical severity score . J Vasc Surg . 2002;36:889–895
  21. Ricci MA , Emmerich J , Callas PW , Rosendaal FR , Stanley AC , Naud S , et al.   Evaluating chronic venous disease with a new venous severity scoring system . J Vasc Surg . 2003;38:909–915
  22. Yamaki T , Nozaki M , Sasaki K . Predictive value in the progression of chronic venous insufficiency associated with superficial venous incompetence . Int J Angiol . 2000;9:95–98
  23. Pichot O , Sessa C , Bosson JL . Duplex imaging analysis of the long saphenous vein reflux (basis for strategy of endovenous obliteration treatment) . Int Angiol . 2002;21:333–336
  24. Gloviczki P , Bergan JJ , Rhodes JM , Canton LG , Harmsen S , Ilstrup DM  The North American Study Group . Mid-term results of endoscopic perforator vein interruption for chronic venous insufficiency (lessons learned from the North American Subfascial Endoscopic Perforator Surgery Registry) . J Vasc Surg . 1999;29:489–502
  25. Danielsson G , Eklof B , Grandinetti A , Lurie F , Kistner RL . Deep axial reflux, an important contributor to skin changes or ulcer in chronic venous disease . J Vasc Surg . 2003;38:1336–1341
  26. Danielsson G , Arfvidsson B , Eklof B , Kistner RL , Masuda EM , Sato DT . Reflux from thigh to calf, the major pathology in chronic venous ulcer disease (surgery indicated in the majority of patients) . Vasc Endovasc Surg . 2004;38:209–219
  27. Kakkos SK , Rivera MA , Matsagas MI , Lazarides MK , Robless P , Belcaro G , et al.   Validation of the new venous severity scoring system in varicose vein surgery . J Vasc Surg . 2003;38:224–228
  28. Perrin M , Dedieu F , Jessent V , Blanc MP . Une appréciation des nouveaux scores de sévérité de la maladie veineuses chronique des membres inférieurs. Résultats d’une enquête auprès d’angiologues français [in French] . Phlebologie . 2003;56:127–136

 Competition of interest: none.

PII: S0741-5214(06)00824-X

doi:10.1016/j.jvs.2006.04.056

Journal of Vascular Surgery
Volume 44, Issue 3 , Pages 588-594, September 2006

Article Tools