title: Radiofrequency-induced thermal therapy: results of a European multicentre study of resistive ablation of incompetent truncal varicose veins.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effectiveness of bipolar radiofrequency-induced thermal therapy (RFITT) in a multicentre non-randomized study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Some 672 incompetent saphenous veins (85% great saphenous varicose vein, 15% short saphenous vein) in 462 patients (56.5% CEAP [clinical, aetiological, anatomical and pathological elements] class 3 or worse) were treated in eight European centres. Patients were assessed between 180 and 360 days postoperatively. Occlusion rates were determined by duplex ultrasound and compared with the power used for treatment, pull back rate and experience of the operating surgeon.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Complete occlusion rates of 98.4% were achieved when treatments were performed by an experienced operator (more than 20 cases), when the maximum power setting on the RFITT generator was between 18 and 20 W and the applicator was withdrawn at a rate slower than 1.5 second/cm
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  RFITT is efficacious, well tolerated by patients and has a low incidence of procedure-related post-operative complications.
authors.affiliation: Queens Medical Centre - Vascular Surgery, Nottingham, UK. bruce.braithwaite@nhs.net
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Braithwaite
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hnatek
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Zierau
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Camci
authors.forename: Gjm
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Akkersdijk
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nio
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sarlija
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ajduk
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Santoro
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Roche
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002983:Clinical Competence; D057510:Endovascular Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D059032:Learning Curve; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000209:etiology; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018616:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult