title: Changes in Saphenous Vein Stump and Low Incidence of Endovenous Heat-Induced Thrombosis After Radiofrequency Ablation of Great Saphenous Vein Incompetence.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Relationship between the distance of the catheter tip from the saphenous femoral junction and the length of residual stump after radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has not been sufficiently examined.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to investigate the change of great saphenous vein (GSV) stump with clinical outcomes after RFA.
  
  
  METHODS
  From January 2014 to September 2014, 67 patients (91 limbs) underwent GSV RFA and the collected data were analyzed prospectively. Change of GSV stump length and clinical symptoms was evaluated at 1-, 3-, and 6-month intervals. Ablations were performed between 2 to 2.5 cm distal to the saphenofemoral junction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The residual GSV stump decreased in length to 1.465 ± 0.504 cm at the first month follow-up. This length persisted throughout the 1-, 3-, and 6-month follow-ups. There were no statistically significant differences during the follow-up period. Both the Venous Clinical Severity Score and the Aberdeen Varicose Vein Symptom Severity Score was significantly improved at 1 month and improved even further at 3 months. One patient (1.1%) developed endovenous heat-induced thrombosis (EHIT) Class 3 at 1-month follow-up and was treated with anticoagulation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study has shown that the adequate positioning of RFA catheter tip (2.0-2.5 cm) is recommended to decrease the incidence of EHIT.
authors.affiliation: *Department of Surgery, Yeouido St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea; †Department of Surgery, Seoul National University Boramae Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea; ‡Department of Surgery, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Sanghyun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ahn
authors.forename: In Mok
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.forename: Jung Kee
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Taeseung
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017115:Catheter Ablation; D057510:Endovascular Procedures; D005260:Female; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000601:surgery*; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D014689:Venous Insufficiency / Q000601:surgery*