Four-year follow-up on endovascular radiofrequency obliteration of great saphenous reflux

BACKGROUND. Endovascular radiofrequency obliteration has been used since 1998 as an alternative to conventional vein stripping surgery for elimination of saphenous vein insufficiency. OBJECTIVE. To demonstrate the long-term efficacy of this treatment modality. METHODS. Data were prospectively collected in a multicenter ongoing registry. Only great saphenous vein above knee treatments were included in this study. Eight hundred ninety patients (1,078 limbs) were treated prior to November 2003 at 32 centers. Clinical and duplex ultrasound follow-up was performed at 1 week, 6 months, and 1, 2, 3, and 4 years. RESULTS. Among 1,078 limbs treated, 858 were available for follow-up within 1 week, 446 at 6 months, 384 at 1 year, 210 at 2 years, 114 at 3 years, and 98 at 4 years. The vein occlusion rates were 91.0%, 88.8%, 86.2%, 84.2%, and 88.8%, respectively; the reflux-free rates were 91.0%, 89.3%, 86.2%, 86.0%, and 85.7%, respectively; and the varicose vein recurrence rates were 7.2%, 13.5%, 17.1%, 14.0%, and 21.4%, respectively, at each follow-up time point at 6 months, and 1, 2, 3, and 4 years. Patient symptom improvement persisted over 4 years. CONCLUSIONS. Endovascular temperature-controlled radiofrequency obliteration of saphenous vein reflux exhibits an enduring treatment efficacy clinically, anatomically, and hemodynamically up to 4 years following treatment.