VeneFit Radio-Frequency Ablation

The Venefit™ procedure is a minimally invasive treatment for varicose veins and Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI) in which a vein specialist inserts a Covidien ClosureFast™ endovenous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) catheter to collapse and close enlarged leg veins. After the vein is sealed shut, blood then naturally re-routes to healthy veins.

 

The Venefit™ Procedure: What to Expect

The ClosureFast™ catheter is inserted into the vein through a tiny incision below the knee. Guided by ultrasound imaging, the physician treats a 7 cm segment of vein with a 20-second burst of radiofrequency energy, causing the vessel to shrink around the catheter. The physician withdraws the catheter, treating each segment until the entire length of the vein has been sealed. An average 45 cm length vein can be treated in this manner in just three to five minutes.

Unlike painful vein stripping surgery or laser ablation, the catheter delivers uniform, consistent heat to each segment and temperatures do not exceed 120° C.1As a result, the Venefit™ procedure causes less bruising and allows for rapid patient relief and recovery.2 The Venefit™ procedure is commonly performed in a clinic or same-day hospital setting.

The Venefit™ Procedure Advantage:

 

Minimally Invasive

 

The Venefit™ procedure eliminates the need for groin surgery and general anesthesia. The procedure also results in little to no scarring and is generally performed using local anesthesia in a vein specialist’s office or an outpatient surgical facility.

 

Less Pain, Less Bruising, Faster Recovery

 

The 2009 RECOVERY Study compared the experience of patients treated with the ClosureFast catheter and those treated with the 980 nm laser. The study demonstrated:

  • Less pain, bruising and complications with the ClosureFast™ catheter2
  • Up to four times faster improvement in patients’ quality of life with the ClosureFast™ catheter versus laser based on a quality of life questionnaire2

Other studies have shown that patients receiving the Venefit™ procedure return to normal activity and work significantly faster than those undergoing vein stripping.3

The ClosureFast catheter has been shown in a prospective, international multi-center study to be 93% effective at three years using Kaplan Meier analysis.4

The Venefit™ procedure is performed as a medical necessity as diagnosed by a trained vein specialist. It is not designed to address spider veins or cosmetic issues. However, the successful treatment of CVI using the Venefit™ procedure can produce cosmetic improvements.

 

As with any medical procedure, you should consult your vein specialist and review all safety information associated with any procedure.

VenaCure EVLT

VenaCure EVLT uses laser energy to close the saphenous veins. The treatment has been clinically proven to effectively close the saphenous veins with a rate of success at 99%.

The VenaCure 1470nm laser is a water-specific laser, targeting water as the chromophore to absorb the laser energy. Since the vein structure is mostly water, it is theorized that the 1470nm laser is able to efficiently heat the vein with little chance of collateral heating, resulting in an optimal vein ablation.

The VenaCure 1470nm laser is designed to work exclusively with AngioDynamics NeverTouch® fibers; maximizing these two technologies may result in even

better patient outcomes. The 1470nm laser allows effective vein ablation with the targeted energy of 30-50 joules/cm at a setting of 5-7 watts.

 

All the Features You Love

 

The VenaCure 1470 laser has all the features you love about the Delta laser platform: the Fiber Recognition System (FRS), which facilitates fewer steps enabling a shorter procedure set-up; the high-performance design; and the controls and interconnects, which were kept to a minimum and carefully placed, making the interface simple and easy to use. Like the Delta laser, the VenaCure 1470 laser helps physicians treat more patients with ease.

EVLT and RFA target energy to seal the vein shut and help you look and feel better fast.

  • Treatment in less than an hour.
  • Can be performed in the doctor’s office.
  • Up to 98% success rate.
  • Immediate relief of symptoms.
  • Return to normal activity immediately – with little or no pain.
  • No general anesthesia or hospitalization.
  • Minimal-to-no scarring.

Typically is covered by insurance.

 

During your EVLT or RFA procedure:

 

  • Our physicians will use an ultrasound to map out your vein.
  • Local anesthetic is applied.
  • A thin laser fiber is inserted through a tiny entry point, usually near the knee.
  • Laser energy is delivered to seal the faulty vein.
  • Walking immediately after the procedure is encouraged. Normal daily activity can be resumed; just avoid rigorous activities such as gym workouts.
  • There may be minor soreness and bruising. Any discomfort can be treated with over-the-counter, non-aspirin pain relievers as necessary.
  1. Weiss RA, et al. Comparison of endovenous radiofrequency versus 810 nm diode laser occlusion of large veins in an animal model. Dermotol Surgery 2002;28:56-61.
  2. 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.
  3. Lurie, F, et al. Prospective randomized study of endovenous radiofrequency obliteration (Closure procedure) versus ligation and stripping in a selected patient population (EVOLVeS Study), J Vasc Surg 2003; 38(2):207-14
  4. Proebstle T, et al. Three-year European follow-up of endovenous radiofrequency-powered segmental thermal ablation of the great saphenous vein with or without treatment of calf varicosities. JVS; July 2011