Abstract
Background
Endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) is a first line recommended treatment for incompetent truncal veins in the legs. The current “industry standard” is a single ring radially firing catheter, using a 1470 nm diode laser. It is common for doctors to treat more than one vein, and they often clean the catheter tip before re-introduction. We have observed some doctors using normal saline for this, but others using povidone-iodine. The aim of this in vitro study was to determine whether povidone-iodine reduces the power being emitted from the catheter tip.
Methods
Five radial catheters were tested, each connected in turn to a 1470 nm diode laser set at 10 W. Power emission was measured by a laser power detector connected to a power meter. The power meter recorded an average (mode) of the readings once the laser had reached a steady state. Each catheter was tested firing in air, after dipping in normal saline, then povidone-iodine and finally after wiping the povidone-iodine off the tip with a surgical gauze.
Results
The emitted power recorded for air (9.05 W) was significantly (
Conclusion
In a laboratory setting, povidone-iodine on the tip of a radially firing catheter transmitting laser energy at 1470 nm, significantly reduces the power being emitted. As this was a laboratory-based study, clinical studies are required to see if this translates into a significant problem during EVLA treatment.
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