Correlation between reflux time and venous clinical severity score in patients undergoing saphenous vein ablation: A prospective study

It is unclear whether reflux time independently correlates with severity of symptoms in patients with great saphenous vein reflux. Eighty patients (mean age 64+/−12.7 years, 56% female) undergoing great saphenous vein (GSV) ablation for symptomatic reflux were assessed prospectively. Fifty-seven underwent ablation with radiofrequency, 23 with cyanoacrylate adhesive. Venous clinical severity score (VCSS) was assessed at, or prior to the time of ablation. The highest reflux time in the GSV was selected. VCSS values ranged from 2 to 20 (median 7). Mean reflux time was 5.3 s (+/−3.3). The Spearman rank correlation yielded a value of rs = −0.123, p (2-tailed) = .279, which was not significant. The patients with concomitant deep vein reflux had higher VCSS ( p < .05). Analysis of patients with only superficial vein reflux ( n = 45) also demonstrated a poor correlation between VCSS and reflux time (rs = −0.051, p (2-tailed) = .741). This prospective study did not demonstrate a correlation between reflux time and VCSS.