title: Five-year results from the prospective European multicentre cohort study on radiofrequency segmental thermal ablation for incompetent great saphenous veins.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This was a prospective study of radiofrequency segmental thermal ablation (RFA) for the treatment of incompetent varicose great saphenous veins (GSVs). The present report describes long-term follow-up at 5 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  The 5-year follow-up of this multicentre European study included assessment of the Venous Clinical Severity Score (VCSS), and GSV occlusion and reflux on duplex imaging.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 225 patients had 295 GSVs treated by RFA, achieving an initial vein occlusion rate of 100 per cent. With 80·0 per cent compliance, Kaplan-Meier analyses showed a GSV occlusion rate of 91·9 per cent and a reflux-free rate of 94·9 per cent at 5 years. Among the 15 GSVs noted with reflux during follow-up, only three showed full recanalization of the GSV at 1 week, 6 months and 3 years. Of the 12 legs with partial recanalization, reflux originated at the saphenofemoral junction in ten, with a mean length of the patent segment of 5·8 (range 3·2-10) cm; only six patients were symptomatic. Mean(s.d.) VCSS scores improved from 3·9(2·1) at baseline to 0·6(1·2), 0·9(1·3) and 1·3(1·7) at 1, 3 and 5 years.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  At 5 years RFA proved to be an efficient endovenous treatment for incompetent GSVs in terms of sustained clinical and anatomical success for the vast majority of treated patients.
authors: Department of Dermatology, University of Mainz, Mainz, Germany.
authors: T M
authors: TM
authors: Proebstle
authors: B J
authors: BJ
authors: Alm
authors: O
authors: O
authors: Göckeritz
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Wenzel
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Noppeney
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Lebard
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Sessa
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Creton
authors: O
authors: O
authors: Pichot
mesh_terms: D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D014689:Venous Insufficiency / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*
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