The association between vascular risk factors and the occurrence of non-thrombotic iliac vein lesions in patients with chronic venous disorders

Introduction: Recently non-thrombotic iliac vein lesions (NIVL) due to their possible role in chronic venous insufficiency on one side and to the development of endovascular venous techniques on the other side have gained much interest. The purpose of this study was to establish if vascular risk and anthropometric factors are associated with the occurrence of NIVL in patients with chronic venous disorders. Material and methods: Thirty-three patients (8 men and 25 women) of the median age of 48 years with primary varicose veins that were qualified for great saphenous veins high ligation and stripping were included. The data concerning age, sex, body mass, height, body mass index, body surface area, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, smoking and diabetes have been collected. During the varicose vein surgery, both iliac venous axis were interrogated with intravascular ultrasound. Percentage of stenosis of interrogated veins was calculated. The association between analyzed factors and morphology of iliac veins was statistically determined. Results: In a univariate analysis age negatively correlated with left common iliac vein (LCIV) stenosis and male sex, greater weight and body surface area and hypertension were associated with lesser stenosis of left external iliac vein. In a multivariate analysis, only age significantly negatively correlated with LCIV stenosis (p = 0.027). There was a correlation of borderline statistical significance between female sex and LCIV stenosis (p = 0.073). No other correlations were observed. Conclusions: Except for age and possibly sex, there is no association between NIVL and other anthropometric and vascular risk factors.