Vein Treatment

Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) (ClosureFast™) for Venous Reflux Disease

Mesa's Leaders in Venous Reflux Disease Treatment

Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive procedure used in the treatment of venous reflux disease. Under ultrasound guidance, radiofrequency energy is transmitted to the vein through a catheter, resulting in closure of the vein. Unlike vein “stripping” patients treated with RFA are usually able to resume activities in a day.

Tri-City Vein Center uses the ClosureFast™ procedure, which is performed on an outpatient basis. Using ultrasound guidance one of our board-certified vascular physicians will position the catheter into the diseased vein through a small opening in the skin. The small catheter delivers heat to the vein wall, causing it to shrink and the vein to seal closed. Once the diseased vein is closed, blood will reroute itself to other healthy veins.

Following the procedure, a simple bandage is placed over the insertion site, and additional compression may be provided to aid healing. Your physician will encourage you to walk, and to refrain from extended standing and strenuous activities for a period of time.

Procedure Highlights

Minimally invasive, outpatient procedure
Proven results with positive patient outcomes
Lower rates of pain, bruising and complications and a faster improvement in patients’ quality of life
Average patient typically resumes normal activities within a few days following treatment
Most patients report a noticeable improvement in symptoms within 1-2 weeks following procedure
Covered by most insurance providers

*Individual results may vary.

Frequently Asked Questions about the ClosureFast™

Is the Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) procedure painful?

Most patients report feeling minimal pain during the RFA procedure.4 Your physician will give you a local or regional anesthetic to numb the treatment area.

How quickly can I resume normal activity?

Patients treated with the Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) procedure may resume normal activities more quickly than patients who undergo surgical vein stripping or laser ablation. With the RFA procedure, the average patient typically resumes normal activities within a few days.⁵ For a week following the treatment, your vein specialist recommends a regular walking regimen and suggests you refrain from very strenuous activities (heavy lifting, for example) or prolonged periods of standing.

How soon after treatment will my symptoms improve?

Most patients report a noticeable improvement in their symptoms within one to two weeks following the procedure.⁴

Is there any scarring, bruising, or swelling after the procedure?

Most patients report limited to no scarring, bruising, or swelling following the Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) procedure using the RFA catheter. ⁴

How is the Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) different from endovenous laser?

Although the RFA procedure and 980 nm endovenous laser ablation are both minimally invasive procedures, a comparative, multicenter study showed that the RFA procedure was associated with statistically significant lower rates of pain, bruising, and complications. Patients undergoing the RFA procedure also reported improvements in quality of life measures up to four 4 times faster than patients treated with 980 nm endovenous laser ablation. ⁴

How is the Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) different from vein stripping?

During vein stripping, incisions are made in the groin and calf, and a tool is threaded through the diseased vein to pull the vein out of the leg. With the RFA procedure, only one small incision is made at the insertion site and the vein is then treated and left in place. This minimally invasive approach reduces the likelihood of pain and bruising associated with vein stripping surgery.^6,7

Is the Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) procedure covered by insurance?

Many insurance companies pay for the RFA procedure in part or in full. The RFA procedure has coverage policies with major health insurers. As a courtesy, our venous authorization team will verify your coverage.

References

REFERENCES: * Statistics based on individuals over the age of 40 1 Gloviczki P, et al. The care of patients with varicose veins and associated chronic diseases: clinical practice guidelines of the Society for Vascular Surgery and the American Venous Forum.JVS; May 2011. 2 Lee, A. U.S. Markets for Varicose Vein Treatment Devices 2011. Millennium Research Group, Inc. (A Decision Resource, Inc. Company), www.mrg.net , May 2011. 3 Eberhardt R, J Raffetto. Chronic Venous Insufficiency. Circulation. 2005;111:2398-2409. 4 Almeida JI, Kaufman J, Göckeritz O, et al. Radiofrequency endovenous ClosureFast versus laser ablation for the treatment of great saphenous reflux: a multicenter, single-blinded, randomized study (RECOVERY Study). J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2009;20:752-759. 5 L. H. Rasmussen, M. Lawaetz, L. Bjoern, B. Vennits, A. Blemings and B. Eklof, Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing Endovenous Laser Ablation, Radiofrequency Ablation, Foam Sclerotherapy and Surgical Stripping for Great Saphenous Varicose Veins. British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd., Wiley Online Library, www.bjs.co.uk, March 15, 2011. 6 LurieF, Creton D, Eklof B, Kabnick LS, Kistner RL, Pichot O, et al. Prospective randomized study of endovenous radiofrequency obliteration. (Closure procedure) versus ligation and stripping in aselected patient population (EVOLVeS Study). J Vasc Surg 2003;38;2:207-14 7 Hinchliffe RJ, et al. A prospective randomised controlled trial of VNUS Closure versus Surgery for the treatment of recurrent long saphenous Varicose Veins. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg 2006 Feb;31;2:212-218 8 “Chronic Venous Insufficiency.” Vascular Web. Society For Vascular Surgery, Jan. 2011. Web.17 Aug. 2011. . 9 Proebstle TM, Alm BJ, Gockeritz O, et al. Five-year results from the prospective European multicenter cohort study on radiofrequency segmental thermal ablation for incompetent great saphenous veins. The British Journal of Surgery. Feb 2015;102(3):212-218. Aortic | Peripheral | endoVenous 3033 Campus Drive, N550 Plymouth, MN 55441 USA medtronic.com/endovenous 24-hour Technical Support Toll free: +1.480.992.7400 Orders Toll free: +1.480.992.7400 Fax: +1.480.992.7400 CardioVascular LifeLine Customer Support Tel: +1.480.992.7400 Toll free: +1.480.992.7400 endoVenous Customer Service Toll free: +1.480.992.7400 DC00035933b © 2016 Medtronic. All rights reserved. Medtronic, Medtronic logo and Further, Together are trademarks of Medtronic. All other brands are trademarks of a Medtronic company. Printed in the USA. For distribution in the USA only. 7/16 CAUTION: Federal (USA) law restricts these devices to sale by or on the order of a physician IMPORTANT: Indications, contraindications, warnings and instructions for use can be found in the product labeling supplied with each device.