title: Radiofrequency endovenous ClosureFAST versus laser ablation for the treatment of great saphenous reflux: a multicenter, single-blinded, randomized study (RECOVERY study).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present study was designed to address the hypothesis that radiofrequency (RF) thermal ablation, as represented by the ClosureFAST system, is associated with improved recovery and quality-of-life (QOL) parameters compared with 980-nm endovenous laser (EVL) thermal ablation of the great saphenous vein (GSV).
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty-seven veins in 69 patients were randomized to ClosureFAST or 980-nm EVL treatment of the GSV. The study was prospective, randomized, single-blinded, and carried out at five American sites and one European site. Primary endpoints (postoperative pain, ecchymosis, tenderness, and adverse procedural sequelae) and secondary endpoints (venous clinical severity scores and QOL issues) were measured at 48 hours, 1 week, 2 weeks, and 1 month after treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All scores referable to pain, ecchymosis, and tenderness were statistically lower in the ClosureFAST group at 48 hours, 1 week, and 2 weeks. Minor complications were more prevalent in the EVL group (P = .0210); there were no major complications. Venous clinical severity scores and QOL measures were statistically lower in the ClosureFAST group at 48 hours, 1 week, and 2 weeks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  RF thermal ablation was significantly superior to EVL as measured by a comprehensive array of postprocedural recovery and QOL parameters in a randomized prospective comparison between these two thermal ablation modalities for closure of the GSV.
authors.affiliation: Miami Vein Center, 1501 South Miami Avenue, Miami, FL 33129, USA.
authors.forename: Jose I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Almeida
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kaufman
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Göckeritz
authors.forename: Paramjit
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chopra
authors.forename: Martin T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.forename: Daniel F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Hoheim
authors.forename: Raymond G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Makhoul
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Richards
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wenzel
authors.forename: Jeffrey K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Raines
mesh_terms: D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D014689:Venous Insufficiency / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery*