Endovascular Radiofrequency Obliteration Using 90°C for Treatment of Great Saphenous Vein

The recommended treatment temperature for endovascular radiofrequency obliteration (RFO) of the great saphenous vein (GSV) is 85°C. Faster catheter pullback rates are possible when the operating catheter tip temperature is increased. We studied the safety and effectiveness of RFO of the GSV using a temperature of 90°C, tumescent infiltration, and catheter pullback rates double the current standard. Sixty-eight patients (85 limbs) with ultrasound-documented sap-henofemoral valve reflux underwent Closure procedure. Treatment temperature was increased to 90°C, and pullback times were increased to 5-6 cm/min. Outcome measures were occlusion of treated vein segments at 3 days and 6 months postoperatively and clinical evaluation of complications at 3 days and 6 months postoperatively. At 3 days, 96% (80/83) of GSVs were occluded and at 6 months 90% (66/73) were occluded. At 3 days and 6 months, no limbs had evidence of deep venous thrombosis or skin burns. Pullback times were shortened from 15-18 min to 8 min. Closure procedure of the GSV using 90°C and faster catheter pullback rates occluded a refluxing GSV with similar 3-day and 6-month occlusion rates as 85°C.