title: Retrospective analysis of routine use of a double heat cycle (DHC) during radiofrequency segmental ablation (ClosureFAST(™) ) of saphenous veins.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recent experimental evidence suggests that increasing energy delivered during radiofrequency segmental ablation (RFSA) of varicose veins might further improve outcomes.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate occlusion rates and safety of the routine use of double heat cycle (DHC) during RFSA of incompetent saphenous veins up to 3 years after the initial treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective review of prospectively collected duplex ultrasound (DUS) and complication rate data of successive patients from the Viennese, Lower Austrian and Slovenian regions treated for incompetent saphenous veins, followed up on a yearly basis for up to 3 years after the procedure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Between 2007 and 2011, 258 patients (389 veins; 322 great saphenous veins (GSV)] had been treated with DHC ClosureFast. Patients' return was 46% (122 subjects) 3 years after RFSA [140 GSV and 31 small saphenous veins (SSV)] with a mean follow-up time of 24.93 ± 11.77 months. At 36 months Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed the occlusion probability of 98.6% (95% CI: 1.005-0.966). All SSV were closed. Except for three cases of dysaesthesia which disappeared within a year, there have not been major side-effects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results of the retrospective analysis indicate that the routine use of DHC during RFSA for incompetent saphenous veins is equally safe but potentially more efficacious considering mid-term venous closure rates.
authors.affiliation: VENEX - Vein and Dermatology Centre, Vienna, Austria.|DCP-VENEX Center & Dermatology Centre Parmova, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schuller-Petrović
authors.affiliation: DCP-VENEX Center & Dermatology Centre Parmova, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Pavlović
authors.affiliation: VENEX - Vein and Dermatology Centre, Vienna, Austria.|Department of Dermatology, Rudolfstiftung, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Schuller-Lukić
authors.affiliation: VENEX - Vein and Dermatology Centre, Vienna, Austria.|Department of Dermatology, SMZ Ost, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schuller
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011846:Radio Waves; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012501:Saphenous Vein