Home » Physicians » Compare Vein Treatment Alternatives » Radio Frequency Ablation
 

Compare Vein Treatment Alternatives



VenaCure 1470 Laser Before and After Promo A patient wonders why she didn't opt for laser vein treatment sooner!
Subscribe for Updates
Important Risk Information

Radio Frequency Ablation

VenaCure EVLT(TM)

Radiofrequency (RF)

Primary Mechanism

Laser

Electricity

Success Rate
 (comparative studies)

94-100%1,2,8,4

86-92%1,2,8,11

Complications

 

 

  • Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) or Saphenous Thrombus Extension

0.3%4,5

2.1%4,6

  • Pulmonary Embolism (PE)

None Reported7

17 cases7

Side Effects

 

 

  • Bruising

Mild to Moderate (<35%)3,8,10

Mild to Moderate (<35%)8,9,10

  • Bruising w/swelling

Mild to Moderate (<25%)8,10

Mild to Moderate (<25%)8,9,10

  • Numbness

0.08%3,8,10

11%9,11,12,13

Post-Op Experience

  • Compression stockings prescribed
  • Walking immediately encouraged
  • Will feel a delayed tightness (or “pulling” sensation) 4-7 days after laser treatment which is normal and expected following a successful treatment
  • Compression stockings prescribed
  • Walking immediately encouraged

# Procedures (2006)14

103,000

78,000

Patient Satisfaction (would recommend to a friend)

99.8%3

98%15

  1. Black CM, et al Failure Rates of Endovenous Radiofrequency Ablation Compared Endovenous Laser Ablation J Vasc Interv Radiol 2005;16(2 Suppl 2):S52
  2. Isaacs M, Gardner M, Comparison of Duplex Guided Sclerotherapy, Closure and EVLT in a Single Practice. 17th Annual Congress, American College of Phlebology. Aug 2003
  3. Min, Khilnani, Zimmet. Endovenous Laser Treatment of Saphenous Vein Reflux: Long-Term Results. J Vasc Interv Radiol; 2003;14:991-996
  4. Mozes G, Gloviczki P, et al Extension of saphenous thrombus into the femoral vein: A potential complication of new endovenous ablation techniques J Vasc Surg 2005;41:130-5
  5. No DVT reported (MAUDE, see footnote 7); 0.3% represents non-occlusive thrombus extension
  6. Some DVT reported (MAUDE); 2.1% represents combination of DVT and non-occlusive thrombus extension
  7. FDA reported events on Manufacturer & User Facility Device Experience (MAUDE) database (up to September 2007) since product inception. Up to date results available at http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfMAUDE/search.cfm
  8. Puggioni A, Kalra M, Carmo M, Mozes G, Gloviczki P Endovenous Laser Therapy and Radiofrequency Ablation of the Great Saphenous Vein: Analysis of Early Efficacy and Complications J Vasc Surg 2005;42:488-93
  9. Lurie, F, et al. Prospective randomized study of endovenous radiofrequency obliteration (Closure procedure) versus ligation and stripping in a selected patient population (EVOLVeS Study), J Vasc Surg 2003; 38(2):207-14.
  10. Zimmet SE. Pain, Bruising and Short-Term Efficacy after Endovenous Treatment of the Greater Saphenous Vein: The Effect of Operative Technique and Postoperative Care. 16th Annual Congress American College of Phlebology. Nov 2002
  11. Almeida JI, Raines J Radiofrequency Ablation and Laser Ablation in the Treatment of Varicose Veins. Ann Vasc Surg 2006; 20:547-552
  12. Rautio et al. Endovenous obliteration versus conventional stripping operation in the treatment of primary varicose veins: A randomized controlled trial with comparison of the costs. J Vasc Surg 2002;35:958-65
  13. Merchant RF, DePalma RG, Kabnick LS. Endovascular obliteration of saphenous reflux: a multicenter study. J Vasc Surg. 2002 Jun;35(6):1190-6
  14. Millenium Research Group, US Markets for Varicose Vein Treatment Devices 2006. GSV procedures only. Laser volume reflects all lasers.
  15. Weiss RA, et al. Controlled Radiofrequency Endovenous Occlusion Using a Unique Radiofrequency Catheter Under Duplex Guidance to Eliminate Saphenous Varicose Vein Reflux: A 2-Year Follow-up, Dermatologic Surgery, Jan 2002; 28:1: 38-42