TREATMENT OPTIONS

Thermal Ablation

Thermal ablative procedures may use heat, laser or radiofrequency energy to close the diseased vein, which redirects blood flow to healthy veins. Thermal ablative treatments are minimally invasive procedures performed by your doctor using thermal energy.

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA)

Radiofrequency ablation is delivered through a small catheter to shrink and cut off blood to the diseased vein.

This is typically a 30- to 60-minute outpatient (same-day) procedure performed on one leg per appointment, with local anaesthesia along the leg.

Step-by-step RFA procedure

STEP 01

Before therapy

You will have an ultrasound imaging exam of the leg being treated. This exam is important for assessing the diseased superficial vein and planning the procedure.

Step-by-step procedure

STEP 02

During therapy

Using an ultrasound, your doctor will position a catheter in the diseased vein through a small opening in the skin.
The small catheter delivers heat to the vein wall, causing it to shrink and seal the vein. Once the diseased vein is closed, blood will reroute itself to other healthy veins.

This is an image of a male healthcare professional consulting with female patient.

Step-by-step procedure

STEP 03

After therapy

Following the procedure, your doctor will apply a simple bandage over the insertion site and will give you compression stockings to aid in the healing process. Your doctor may encourage you to walk and to refrain from extended standing and strenuous activities for a period of time. The average patient typically resumes normal activities within a few days.^1,2
Your doctor will recommend follow-up care as needed¹

Slide 1
Slide 2
Slide 3

The procedure

– Thermal catheter is placed

– Local anaesthetic is applied

– Heat is delivered to vein wall

– Vein is heat-sealed closed

More information

Benefits of the radiofrequency ablation procedure

Minimally invasive outpatient procedure
At 48 hours, postoperative pain was measured by patients on a visual scale from 1 to 10. The Radiofrequency Ablation group reported significantly lower pain levels with a mean of 0.7 compared to the Endovenous Laser Therapy group with a mean of 1.9. P = < .0001³
At 48 hours, postoperative bruising for the Radiofrequency Ablation group showed that 67% of the group had no bruising whilst the Endovenous Laser Therapy group had 20% show no bruising.³
On average, patients resume normal activities within a few days²
The radiofrequency energy procedure with published long-term clinical data demonstrating a 91.9% closure rate at five years.⁴

Risks

Radiofrequency ablation is a minimally invasive and catheter-based procedure. As such, it may involve the following risks:

Arteriovenous fistula (i.e., an abnormal connection between an artery and a vein)
Bleeding from the access site
Deep vein thrombosis (i.e., blood clot in the deep vein system)
Oedema (i.e., swelling) in the treated leg
Bruising (i.e., the collection of blood outside of a vessel)
Hyperpigmentation (i.e., darkening of the skin)
Infection at the access site
Neurological deficits including stroke and death
Non-specific mild inflammation of the cutaneous and subcutaneous tissue
Pain
Paresthesia (i.e., a feeling of tingling, pricking, numbness or burning)
Phlebitis (i.e., inflammation of a vein)
Pulmonary embolism (i.e., blockage of an artery in the lungs)
Urticaria (i.e., hives) or ulceration may occur at the site of injection
Vascular rupture and perforation
Visible scarring

*Medtronic provides this listing as a service. We have no vested interest in any specific physicians, nor do we provide any recommendation, assurance, or guarantee with respect to their service. This listing may not be a complete list of all physicians who provide this service. Information on this site should not be used as a substitute for talking with your doctor. Always talk with your doctor about diagnosis and treatment information.

References

1.Rasmussen LH, Lawaetz M, Bjoern L, Vennits B, Blemings A, Eklof B. Randomized clinical trial comparing endovenous laser ablation, radiofrequency ablation, foam sclerotherapy and surgical stripping for great saphenous varicose veins. Br J Surg. August 2011;98(8):1079-1087.

2.Hinchliffe RJ, Ubhi J, Beech A, Ellison J, Braithwaite BD. A prospective randomised controlled trial of VNUS closure versus surgery for the treatment of recurrent long saphenous varicose veins. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg. February 2006;31(2):212-218.

3.Almeida JI, Kaufman J, Gockeritz O, et al. Radiofrequency Endovenous ClosureFAST Versus Laser Ablation for the Treatment of Great Saphenous Reflux: A Multicenter, Single-blinded, Randomized Study (Recovery Study). J Vasc Interv Radiol. June 2009;20(6):752-759.

4.Proebstle TM, Alm BJ, Gockeritz O, et al. Five-year results from the prospective European multicentre cohort study on radiofrequency segmental thermal ablation for incompetent great saphenous veins. Br J Surg. February 2015;102(3):212-218.

Thermal Ablation

Thermal ablative procedures may use heat, laser or radiofrequency energy to close the diseased vein, which redirects blood flow to healthy veins. Thermal ablative treatments are minimally invasive procedures performed by your doctor using thermal energy.

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA)

Step-by-step RFA procedure

Before therapy

After therapy

The procedure

More information

Benefits and risks

Speak to your GP

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