Long-term Follow-up Study of Intravascular 1320-nm Laser Closure of the Great Saphenous Vein

Abstract

Objective:

To determine the long-term efficacy and safety of a 1320-nm intravascular laser to close the great saphenous vein (GSV).

Methods:

Sixty-four patients with incompetent GSV (0.5–1.44 cm in diameter) associated with distal varicose veins were treated using a 1320-nm intravascular laser at 5–6 W with an automatic pullback mechanism at 1 mm/s. Duplex ultrasound examinations were performed at baseline and patients were followed 1 to 5 years posttreatment.

Participants:

Of the 64 patients, 84% were women and the average age of the participants was 49 years.

Results:

The average baseline GSV measured 0.78 cm (range, 0.37–1.95 cm). The average length of follow-up was 25.3 months. A total of 12.5% (8/64) of patients received follow-up sclerotherapy for residual reticular and telangiectatic veins. Seventy-five percent (52/64) of patients had absent GSV after treatment. Twenty-five percent (12/64) of patients had open, patent GSV with no reflux. The failure rate for treatment was 7.8% (5/64). Treatment failures included open GSV with reflux, 2 patients who underwent repeat cool touch endovenous laser treatment, and 1 patient who had ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy treatment.

Conclusions:

The 1320-nm intravascular laser is safe and effective in treating an incompetent GSV up to 1.44 cm in diameter.