Endovascular radiofrequency ablation. Effect on the vein diameter using the ClosureFast(®) catheter.
INTRODUCTION
Endovascular radiofrequency with first generation catheters was not successful due to its technical difficulty and restrictions in veins with diameters larger than 12mm. However, using the new catheter there is not enough scientific evidence to affirm that the diameter represents a technical limitation. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare pre and post-operative venous trunks diameter, aiming at the reduction of size after 6 months with last generation catheters.


METHODS
Retrospective observational and descriptive study on a cohort of patients with insufficiency of the great saphenous vein, small saphenous vein and anterior accessory vein operated on with last generation radiofrequency catheters. The diameters were evaluated in the pre and post-operative period with ultrasound.


RESULTS
Between 2007 and 2014 a total of 365 ablations were performed in veins with an average diameter of 9±3.1mm showing a reduction of it after 6 months with a mean value of 5.2±0.8mm (P<.0001). Total occlusion was also observed in 100% of cases and complications such as deep vein thrombosis in 0.5% and heat-induced thrombosis in 1.1%.


CONCLUSIONS
A significant reduction in venous diameter after endovascular treatment with the new ClosureFast(®) catheters was checked, even in veins with diameters greater than 12mm.
['Bauzá Moreno|Hernán|H|', 'Dotta|Mariana|M|', 'Katsini|Roxana|R|', 'Marquez Fosser|Carolina|C|', 'Rochet|Sofía|S|', 'Pared|Carlos|C|', 'Martinez|Hugo|H|']
D017115:Catheter Ablation D057785:Catheters D057510:Endovascular Procedures D004867:Equipment Design D005260:Female D006801:Humans D008297:Male D008875:Middle Aged D009929:Organ Size D012189:Retrospective Studies D012501:Saphenous Vein D014689:Venous Insufficiency
Radiofrequency ClosureFast(®) Ablación endovascular Endovascular ablation Insuficiencia venosa Radiofrecuencia Venous insufficiency