Published Study Shows VNUS ClosureFAST(TM) System Significantly Superior To Laser For Varicose Vein Treatment

Main Category: Vascular
Also Included In: Radiology / Nuclear Medicine;  Medical Devices / Diagnostics
Article Date: 11 Jun 2009 - 5:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   view / write opinions   rate article

VNUS(R) Medical Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: VNUS), a worldwide leader in medical devices for the minimally invasive treatment of venous reflux disease, announced that the Journal of Vascular & Interventional Radiology, the prestigious monthly publication of the Society of Interventional Radiology, has published a study showing the VNUS ClosureFAST(TM) system for radiofrequency (RF) thermal ablation to be "significantly superior" to endovenous laser (EVL) for treating venous reflux, the underlying cause of symptomatic varicose veins.

The VNUS ClosureFAST catheter is a minimally invasive device generally used in the physician's office with a local anesthetic to heat and seal the great saphenous vein, the most common site of venous reflux in the leg. The RECOVERY trial was a multicenter, randomized, single-blinded study of 87 vein ablation procedures in 69 patients, comparing the ClosureFAST radiofrequency catheter to the 980 nm endovenous laser system. The study found that for all primary endpoints in the trial, the ClosureFAST radiofrequency catheter was statistically superior to laser treatment in providing a fast and comfortable recovery for the patient after treatment. Specifically, radiofrequency vein ablation using the ClosureFAST catheter was shown to result in less postoperative pain, less bruising, less tenderness, and better reduction of symptoms than laser as soon as two days after treatment, and remaining considerably better for at least two weeks or longer. In addition, all statistical differences in postprocedural and quality-of-life parameters were superior in the ClosureFAST group, and minor complications were five times less prevalent.

"The study found RF thermal ablation, as performed with the ClosureFAST catheter, superior to EVL as measured by a comprehensive array of postprocedural recovery and QOL comparisons between these two minimally invasive techniques for closure of the greater saphenous vein," said Jose I. Almeida, M.D., lead author of the study and Medical Director of Miami Vein Center.

"The study confirms what many of us who have used both laser and radiofrequency devices have felt subjectively - that there is significantly enhanced patient comfort with the radiofrequency technology," said Raymond G. Makhoul, M.D., of Richmond, Virginia, a researcher for the study. "The ClosureFAST device clearly provided a superior patient experience."

"This study emphatically supports the experience of our customers who frequently describe the ease of use of our ClosureFAST radiofrequency catheter and the rapid and mild recovery of patients treated with the catheter," said Brian E. Farley, President and CEO of VNUS. "The trial data also explains the enthusiastic adoption of our technology by the physician community. The publication of the RECOVERY Trial results complements other medical journal publications showing over 97% efficacy from the ClosureFAST catheter. Together with the positive endorsement from European national health authorities, we believe this therapy can be regarded as the premier technology for the treatment of venous reflux disease, a medical condition afflicting millions of people worldwide."

ABOUT VNUS MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Founded in 1995 and headquartered in San Jose, California, VNUS Medical Technologies (NASDAQ: VNUS) is a worldwide leader in medical devices for the minimally invasive treatment of venous reflux disease, a progressive condition that is the underlying cause of varicose veins. VNUS sells the Closure system, which consists of a proprietary radiofrequency (RF) generator and proprietary disposable endovenous catheters and devices to treat diseased veins through the application of temperature-controlled RF energy.

Source: VNUS Medical Technologies, Inc