title: Endovascular radiofrequency ablation. Effect on the vein diameter using the ClosureFast(®) catheter.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Endovascular radiofrequency with first generation catheters was not successful due to its technical difficulty and restrictions in veins with diameters larger than 12mm. However, using the new catheter there is not enough scientific evidence to affirm that the diameter represents a technical limitation. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare pre and post-operative venous trunks diameter, aiming at the reduction of size after 6 months with last generation catheters.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective observational and descriptive study on a cohort of patients with insufficiency of the great saphenous vein, small saphenous vein and anterior accessory vein operated on with last generation radiofrequency catheters. The diameters were evaluated in the pre and post-operative period with ultrasound.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Between 2007 and 2014 a total of 365 ablations were performed in veins with an average diameter of 9±3.1mm showing a reduction of it after 6 months with a mean value of 5.2±0.8mm (P<.0001). Total occlusion was also observed in 100% of cases and complications such as deep vein thrombosis in 0.5% and heat-induced thrombosis in 1.1%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A significant reduction in venous diameter after endovascular treatment with the new ClosureFast(®) catheters was checked, even in veins with diameters greater than 12mm.
authors.affiliation: Sector de Flebolinfología, Servicio de Cirugía General, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Electronic address: hernan.bauza@hospitalitaliano.org.ar.
authors.forename: Hernán
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bauzá Moreno
authors.affiliation: Sector de Flebolinfología, Servicio de Cirugía General, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Mariana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dotta
authors.affiliation: Sector de Flebolinfología, Servicio de Cirugía General, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Roxana
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Katsini
authors.affiliation: Sector de Flebolinfología, Servicio de Cirugía General, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Carolina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Marquez Fosser
authors.affiliation: Sector de Flebolinfología, Servicio de Cirugía General, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Sofía
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rochet
authors.affiliation: Sector de Flebolinfología, Servicio de Cirugía General, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pared
authors.affiliation: Sector de Flebolinfología, Servicio de Cirugía General, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Hugo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Martinez
mesh_terms: D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D057785:Catheters; D057510:Endovascular Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009929:Organ Size; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D014689:Venous Insufficiency / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*
keywords: Ablación endovascular; ClosureFast(®); Endovascular ablation; Insuficiencia venosa; Radiofrecuencia; Radiofrequency; Venous insufficiency