Sclerotherapy Agents Characterization and Optimization

Chronic venous disease is a common disorder that affects the veins of the legs, which carry blood from the legs to the heart. Normal veins have valves that control blood flow from the leg's surface to the deep leg veins, aided by the calf muscles pumping blood back to the heart. These valves also regulate pressure in the smaller surface veins. However, when the valves malfunction, blood can flow backward, pooling in the legs and increasing vein pressure. This condition, known as chronic venous insufficiency, can cause a range of symptoms from mild (leg heaviness, aching, unsightly veins) to severe (leg, ankle, or foot swelling, skin color changes, skin rash, recurrent infections, chronic ulcers). One of the treatment options for chronic venous disease is sclerotherapy, which involves injecting a solution directly into the affected veins to irritate the lining and cause them to close. This procedure effectively reduces symptoms and improves the appearance of varicose or spider veins. However, current foams lack stability and break apart easily. This can cause major harm to the body if the sclerosant reaches the brain or lungs, which can result in strokes or pulmonary embolisms. Our goal is to systematically assess how formulation parameters affect sclerosing foam stability. By doing so, we aim to minimize the risks associated with foam degradation and its migration to different parts of the body.

 

For more information on this project contact felipe.berg@case.edu