Towards an individualized management strategy for patients with chronic venous disease: Results of a Delphi consensus

Abstract

Objective: To obtain consensus on management criteria for symptomatic patients with chronic venous disease (CVD; C2–C6) and superficial venous reflux. Method: We used a Delphi method by means of 36 statements sent by email to experts in the field of phlebology across the world over the course of three rounds. The statements addressed criteria for different venous treatments in patients with different characteristics (e.g. extensive comorbidities, morbid obesity and peripheral arterial disease). If at least 70% of the ratings for a specific statement were between 6 and 9 (agreement) or between 1 and 3 (disagreement), experts’ consensus was reached. Results: Twenty-five experts were invited to participate, of whom 24 accepted and completed all three rounds. Consensus was reached in 25/32 statements (78%). However, several statements addressing UGFS, single phlebectomies, patients with extensive comorbidities and morbid obesity remained equivocal. Conclusion: Considerable consensus was reached within a group of experts but also some gaps in available research were highlighted.