No abstract

These results are contrary to the recommendations offered by the TASC II Inter-Society Consensus and SIGN, in particular in terms of availability and referral to supervised exercise, as well as frequency of the classes where programmes were in place. The offer of information either verbally or via leaflet is commended; however, this has been shown as inferior to supervised exercise. Quoting resource as the reason for non-implementation goes against the published quality-of-life and pharmaco-economic data, which promote supervised exercise as both functionally and financially effective. This work highlights the importance of translating the results of research into evidence-based clinical practice.

Only a minority of patients referred with varicose veins were aware of endovenous treatments or felt adequately informed to express a treatment preference prior to consultation. Over half of patients expressed a preference for local anaesthetic therapy and a preference for a single visit treatment, although most would be strongly influenced by the opinion of their vascular surgeon and not influenced by media advertising.

Patients treated with segmental RFA had less postoperative pain and returned to work quicker than those treated with EVLA.

There appears to be broad consensus between vascular surgeons in the pharmacological management of patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy, although some variations do exist. Further clinical studies may help clarify the optimum management strategy in this patient group.