Revised Venous Clinical Severity Score: A Facile Measurement of Outcomes in Venous Disease

Abstract

Outcome assessment is an important criterion for the objective determination of the risks and benefits of a given procedure. The choice of an assessment instrument is critical in order to generate meaningful and relevant data. Assessment instruments are platforms for comparison and stratification of information that provide a common ground and unified language for discussions on disease processes and therapies. Like many complex conditions, venous disease has benefited from the institution of several assessment instruments designed to clarify elements of the disease process. Among these is the venous clinical severity score (VCSS), which has proved to be a valuable tool for evaluating changes in condition over time with or without intervention. The VCSS has recently undergone a revision to increase its sensitivity and value in interpreting the language of venous disease.

Eight-year follow-up of a randomized clinical trial comparing ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy with surgical stripping of the great saphenous vein

“…The VCSS combines patient‐reported symptoms with clinical scores, and makes it possible to assess outcomes on levels such as technical success, patient‐reported success and, most importantly, clinical success. The VCSS was significantly better after HL/S in the present study.…”

Comparing 1470- and 980-nm diode lasers for endovenous ablation treatments

“…The majority of the published studies used 980-nm wavelength lasers with bare fibers, which are better absorbed by the blood. Higher wavelengths, such as 1320 and 1470 nm, have more effect in water and show less bruising [6,7]. Laser beams emitted directly from the tip of bare fibers lead to higher penetrations of the vessel wall.…”

Postural Diameter Change of the Saphenous Trunk in Chronic Venous Disease

“…In patients and volunteers who had given informed consent, clinical findings (according to the highest "C" class) and Venous Clinical Severity Score (VCSS) 10 of examined limbs were documented, as well as age, gender, body mass index (BMI), time of visit, temperature of the examination room (in degrees Celsius), and outside temperature. DUS scanning (CX50, transducer L12-3 and iU22, transducer L12-5, Philips, Bothell, USA) was performed either by a dermatology trainee (SvdV at Erasmus MC), who was working in a supervised setting, or an experienced angiologist (OP in Grenoble).…”