April 26, 2017 — A new Varicose Vein Registry has begun producing useful outcomes information, as reported in the May edition of the Journal of Vascular Surgery: Venous and Lymphatic Disorders. The registry is a joint effort by the Society for Vascular Surgery, the Vascular Quality Initiative and the American Venous Forum. It was launched in January 2015 and was set up to track systematically the outcomes of various treatments for varicose veins, ultimately providing guidance for both consumers and treating physicians.
“The power in the registry resides in the ability to look at a large and varied data set with importantly defined and relevant physician-generated granular endpoints and patient-reported outcomes (PROs),” said Thomas Wakefield, M.D., who, with lead author Andrea Obi, M.D., developed the journal report.
The journal article, “First 10-month results of the Vascular Quality Initiative Varicose Vein Registry,” by a national team of vascular surgeons, examined the early data. The series included 1,406 patients undergoing venous ablations and phlebectomy. Overall, the reported outcomes were excellent, with significantly improved Clinical classification (CEAP) along with “much improved” Patient Reported Outcomes (PRO). Importantly, the complication rates including infection and venous thrombosis were 1 percent or less.
With governmental incentives for quality reporting, there is a pressing need for data in this evolving field, according to the societies. Although the database is in its early stages, they said it is clear it will bear important fruit for both patients and clinicians looking for the best, proven venous treatments available.
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For more information: www.jvsvenous.org
May 13, 2026 
