One-year results of the use of endovenous radiofrequency ablation utilising an optimised radiofrequency-induced thermotherapy protocol for the treatment of truncal superficial venous reflux.

Background In previous in vitro and ex vivo studies, we have shown increased thermal spread can be achieved with radiofrequency-induced thermotherapy when using a low power and slower, discontinuous pullback. We aimed to determine the clinical success rate of radiofrequency-induced thermotherapy using this optimised protocol for the treatment of superficial venous reflux in truncal veins. Methods Sixty-three patients were treated with radiofrequency-induced thermotherapy using the optimised protocol and were followed up after one year (mean 16.

Radiofrequency-induced thermotherapy (RFiTT) in a porcine liver model and ex vivo great saphenous vein.

Aims: To investigate the thermal spread achieved in porcine liver when using an optimised radiofrequency ablation protocol and correlate findings with the effects seen in ex vivo great saphenous vein (GSV), in order to justify clinical use with the new treatment protocol.

Material And Methods: Porcine liver and GSV sections were treated with radiofrequency-induced thermotherapy (RFiTT) using the following settings: 20 W at 1 s/cm (linear endovenous energy density; LEED 20 J/cm), 18 W at 1 s/cm (LEED 18 J/cm), 18 W at 3 s/cm (LEED 54 J/cm), 6 W interrupted pull-back 6 s stationary every 0.5 cm (LEED 72 J/cm).

An in vitro study to optimise treatment of varicose veins with radiofrequency-induced thermo therapy.

Objective: To develop a reproducible method of using radiofrequency-induced thermotherapy with adequate thermal spread to ablate the whole vein wall in a truncal vein but avoiding carbonisation, device sticking and high impedance "cut outs" reducing interruptions during endovenous treatments.

Methods: Porcine liver was treated with radiofrequency-induced thermotherapy under glass to allow measurements, observation and video recording. Powers of 6-20 W were used at varying pullback speeds to achieve linear endovenous energy densities of 18-100 J/cm.