title: Guidelines of the First International Consensus Conference on Endovenous Thermal Ablation for Varicose Vein Disease--ETAV Consensus Meeting 2012.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Endovenous thermal ablation (ETA) procedures are catheter-directed, ultrasound (US)-guided thermal methods for treatment in varicose veins disease. Radiofrequency, laser or steam energy thermally denatures vein wall collagen, leading first to vein wall inflammation, then fibrosis and finally to occlusion. The aim of this guideline is to give evidence-based recommendations for ETA procedures.
  
  
  METHODS
  These guidelines were drafted during a consensus meeting of a group of experts in the field of ETA in June 2012 (Hvar, Croatia) under the auspices of the International Union of Phlebology (IUP). These guidelines review the present state of knowledge as reflected in peer-reviewed published medical literature. The recommendations of these guidelines are graded according to the American College of Chest Physicians Task Force recommendations on Grading Strength of Recommendations and Quality of Evidence in Clinical Guidelines.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Recommendations on the use of ETA procedures were made based on the quality of evidence for efficacy, safety, tolerability, cosmetic outcome, patient satisfaction/preference and, where appropriate, on the experts' opinion. Health economics were not considered, since differences in national health systems and pricing make it difficult to form general conclusions that are relevant at an international level.
authors.affiliation: Dermatology Centre Parmova & DCP-Venex Centre, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Miloš D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Pavlović
authors.affiliation: VENEX Vein Centre, Vienna, Austria schuller-petrovic@vienna.at.
authors.forename: Sanja
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schuller-Petrović
authors.affiliation: University Hospital of Grenoble, Grenoble, France.
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Pichot
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.
authors.forename: Eberhard
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rabe
authors.affiliation: Dr. Maurins Vein Clinic, Riga, Latvia.
authors.forename: Uldis
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Maurins
authors.affiliation: Morrison Vein Institute, AZ, USA.
authors.forename: Nick
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Morrison
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Cologne, Köln, Germany.
authors.forename: Felizitas
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pannier
mesh_terms: D000758:Anesthesia / Q000379:methods; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D003094:Collagen / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000075202:Contraindications; D057510:Endovascular Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005355:Fibrosis; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000592:standards; D010808:Physical Examination; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D011300:Preoperative Care; D011489:Protein Denaturation; D012996:Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013227:Steam; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D014654:Vascular Patency
chemical_list: D012996:Solutions; D013227:Steam; D003094:Collagen
keywords: Chronic venous disease; endovenous; thermal ablation; varicose veins