The occlusion rate and patterns of saphenous vein after radiofrequency ablation

Abstract

PurposeRadiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a widely accepted to treat the varicose vein. However, outcome studies for occlusion rate and patterns of the saphenous vein after RFA are scarce. The purpose of our study is to report the results of RFA in patients with varicose vein.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the clinical outcomes after RFA using ClosureFAST (Covidien) catheter. We evaluated the occlusion rate and patterns with duplex scanning after RFA.ResultsA total of 200 limbs (148 patients) underwent RFA. The truncal veins were ablated in 163 great saphenous veins (GSV) and 41 small saphenous veins (SSVs). The mean age was 52.1 ± 11.9 years and female to male ratio was 125 : 87. At the mean follow-up of 13.9 months, the CEAP score, VCSS, and QoL score were significantly improved 2.33 ± 0.78 to 1.29 ± 0.96 (P < 0.0001), 3.48 ± 0.98 to 0.63 ± 1.16 (P < 0.0001), and 6.91 ± 6.69 to 3.38 ± 4.74 (P < 0.0001), respectively. The occlusion rate was 94.6% (53/56) in GSV and 94.5% (17/18) in SSV. The most common occlusion pattern in GSV was total occlusion of main trunk with patent superficial inferior epigastric vein in 41.1%. And, the most common pattern in SSV was the total occlusion of SSV with stump in 66.7%.ConclusionRFA is an effective modality in the treatment of varicose vein. At the mean follow-up of 13.9 months, the occlusion rate was 94.6%in GSV and 94.5% in SSV. There are several patterns of saphenous occlusion after RFA.

Retrospective analysis of routine use of a double heat cycle (DHC) during radiofrequency segmental ablation (ClosureFAST™) of saphenous veins

“…Among the treated SSV there was not a single recanalized vein at any time point. It is similar to published short‐term, and better than mid‐term and long‐term data on occlusion rates of RFSA in SSV …”

“…The frequency of side‐effects after the RFSA in our patients was actually lower than usually reported . In similarly conducted retrospective reviews, the incidence of dysaesthesias was higher varying from 8% to 16%, whereas other side‐effects were comparable, like phlebitis (1.4–3.4%), ecchymoses (1.4–3%) and PASTE (0–1.3%) . Years after procedure the only side‐effect that could be ascribed to the intervention itself were secondary telangiectasia.…”

“…Another report on RFSA based on a retrospective analysis of data in 118 saphenous veins (47% of treated patients were available for analysis) after an average follow‐up of 12.2 months (range 1–29), showed a technical success rate of 94.1% . In a similar retrospective review of prospectively collected data on RFSA from Korea, the authors reported occlusion rates of 94.6% (53/56) in GSV and 94.5% (17/18) in SSV 2 years after the intervention (mean follow‐up was 13.9 months) – patients’ return for analysis was 35% . Almost the same primary occlusion rate of GSV (94.5%) was reported by Helmy ElKaffas et al .…”

“…Others also found that after the first 3 months the stump length has not changed significantly over the ensuing 3 years. The patent stump without or with various configurations of epigastric and anterior accessory veins is the most common occlusion pattern after RFSA …”

Midterm Results of Radiofrequency Ablation for Incompetent Small Saphenous Vein in Terms of Recanalization and Sural Neuritis

“…2,3 Such procedures include high ligation only, short segment stripping, phlebectomy alone, or foam sclerotherapy, but with improving technology in the field of endovenous treatment, endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) 4,5 and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of the saphenous vein have shown acceptable clinical results. RFA has been reported to be less invasive, safer, and more effective for incompetent GSV treatment than conventional surgical modalities 6,7 but there are not many reports about the safety and effectiveness of RFA for SSV incompetence, and mixed results have been reported in the literature about the treatment in reflux of SSV. 8,9 We report (1) the clinical and ultrasonographic results of RFA for incompetent SSV, (2)…”