Effect of polidocanol foam administration into rat peripheral veins on pulmonary parenchyma

• Published in: Phlebology Vol. 33; no. 2; p. 122
• Main Authors: de Moraes Silva, Melissa A, Ferreira, Rimarcs G, de Jesus-Silva, Seleno G, Cardoso, Rodolfo S, Miranda, Jr, Fausto
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01-03-2018
• Subjects: Animals; Fibrosis; Humans; Inflammation; Lung - diagnostic imaging; Lung - drug effects; Lung Diseases - chemically induced; Lung Diseases - diagnostic imaging; Male; Polyethylene Glycols - administration & dosage; Pulmonary Alveoli - metabolism; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Saphenous Vein - diagnostic imaging; Sclerosing Solutions - administration & dosage; Sclerotherapy; Treatment Outcome; Varicose Veins - therapy; Veins - diagnostic imaging; Veins - drug effects; Venous Insufficiency - therapy; microcirculatory changes; endovenous technique; Foam sclerotherapy; pathology/histology; pharmacological agents
• ISSN: 1758-1125
• DOI: 10.1177/0268355516683922

Background Sclerotherapy has been gaining increased acceptance and popularity as an effective therapy for the treatment of varicose veins. This attention has fed growing interest into the safety and potential complications of this procedure. There is no evidence of pulmonary complications from foam sclerotherapy in humans; however, animal studies have shown possible damage. The aim of this study is to show the changes in rat pulmonary parenchyma after the injection of 1% polidocanol Tessari foam into the peripheral vein using histological analysis of the inflammatory and fibrosis processes. Methods Twenty-four Wistar rats were divided into the following four groups: 24 h polidocanol, seven-day polidocanol, 28-day polidocanol, and control group. After the foam was injected into the lateral saphenous vein, the lungs of the rats were removed for histological analysis. Results Alveolar edema was observed in only the 24 h group (P < 0.005). Vessel thickening was observed in the seven-and 28-day groups (P < 0.001). Interstitial fibrosis was found in only the 28-day group (P = 0.006). There was no evidence of venous or arterial thrombosis in either group. Conclusion Polidocanol Tessari foam injection into rat peripheral veins causes alveolar edema, vessel thickening, and interstitial fibrosis.