Saphenous venous ablation with hot contrast in a canine model.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of thermal ablation of the saphenous vein with hot contrast medium.


METHODS
Twelve saphenous veins of 6 dogs were percutaneously ablated with hot contrast medium. In all animals, ablation was performed in the vein of one leg, followed by ablation in the contralateral side 1 month later. An occlusion balloon catheter was placed in the infragenicular segment of the saphenous vein via a jugular access to prevent unwanted thermal effects on the non-target segment of the saphenous vein. After inflation of the balloon, 10 ml of hot contrast medium was injected under fluoroscopic control through a sheath placed in the saphenous vein above the ankle. A second 10 ml injection of hot contrast medium was made after 5 min in each vessel. Venographic follow-up of the ablated veins was performed at 1 month (n = 12) and 2 months (n = 6).


RESULTS
Follow-up venograms showed that all ablated venous segments were occluded at 1 month. In 6 veins which were followed up to 2 months, 4 (66%) remained occluded, 1 (16%) was partially patent, and the remaining vein (16%) was completely patent. In these latter 2 cases, an inadequate amount of hot contrast was delivered to the lumen due to a closed balloon catheter downstream which did not allow contrast to displace blood within the vessel.


CONCLUSIONS
Hot contrast medium thermal ablation of the saphenous vein appears feasible, safe, and effective in the canine model, provided an adequate amount of embolization agent is used.
Prasad
Amit
A
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas at Southwestern Medical Center, 5201 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390, USA. aprasa02@stanfordalumni.org
Qian
Zhong
Z
Kirsch
David
D
Eissa
Marna
M
Narra
Pavan
P
Lopera
Jorge
J
Espinoza
Carmen G
CG
Castaneda
Wifrido
W
D000818:Animals; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D003973:Diatrizoate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004285:Dogs; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006358:Hot Temperature; D010690:Phlebography / Q000379:methods; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014689:Venous Insufficiency / Q000628:therapy*
D003287:Contrast Media; D003973:Diatrizoate