Efficacy and Safety of Endovenous Radio Frequency (EVRF) for Treatment of Varicose Veins in Singapore

Pilot Study to Investigate the Efficacy and Safety of Endovenous Radio Frequency (EVRF) for Treatment of Varicose Veins in Singapore

The aim of this study is to report a collaborative, prospective Singaporean experience using the Endovenous Radio Frequency® (EVRF®) from F Care Systems (Belgian) for the treatment of primary great and short saphenous vein reflux.

The investigators wish to evaluate its safety, efficacy, and performance. Although it has been shown to be safe and efficacious in its initial trials, these studies have been limited to generally a caucasian-based population, where the vein size, anatomy and distribution of venous incompetence can be different from their asian counterparts. The study will evaluate the technical, anatomical and clinical performance of EVRF® performed on multiple truncal varicose veins, and without mandatory postoperative compression stockings of the GSV, SSV or AASV. The two primary endpoints for this evaluation are technical success at the time of the procedure, and anatomical success, reported as complete closure at 2-weeks, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age >21 years, able to understand the requirements of the study and provide informed consent.
2. C2 - C5 varicose veins / CVI
3. Symptomatic primaryGSV, SSV or AASV incompetence, with reflux >0.5 seconds on colour duplex, including one or more of the following symptoms: aching, throbbing, heaviness, fatigue, pruritus, night cramps, restlessness, generalized pain or discomfort, swelling.
4. Patients who has GSV, SSV or AASV diameters of 3mm to 12mm in the standing position.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Current DVT or history of DVT
2. Recurrent varicose veins
3. Pregnant patients
4. Arterial disease (ABPI<0.8)
5. Sepsis
6. Patients who are unwilling to participate
7. Inability or unwillingness to complete questionnaires
8. Adverse reaction to sclerosant or cyanoacrylate
9. GSV, SSV or AASV severely tortuous
10. Life expectancy < 1 year
11. Active treatment for malignancy other than non-melanoma skin cancer
12. Current, regular use of systemic anticoagulation (e.g. warfarin, heparin)
13. Daily use of narcotic analgesia or NSAIDS to control pain associated with venous disease