Influence of linear intravenous energy density on the success of intravenous laser ablation for treatment of chronic venous insufficiency

BACKGROUND: It is relevant to elucidate the influence that mean linear endovenous energy density (LEED) has on the success of endovenous laser ablation treatment for chronic venous insufficiency, in order to reduce the method’s adverse effects. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the influence of mean LEED on the prevalence of saphenous closure 30 days after the laser ablation procedure. METHODS: 153 lower limbs from 118 patients seen at a tertiary hospital and treated for chronic venous insufficiency with endovenous 1470 nm laser ablation under local anesthesia were evaluated. The mean LEED used to treat patients was calculated to determine whether greater than average LEED was required for treatment success. RESULTS: A significant difference (p = 0.021) in saphenofemoral junction closure was associated with mean LEED used above the knee. Conversely, there was no significant difference in the thigh segment. CONCLUSIONS: Linear intravenous energy density greater than the mean of 70.57 J/cm was associated with a higher rate of closure at the saphenofemoral junction. However, density did not have an influence on the result for the thigh segment, showing that an energy density exceeding 70.57 J/cm tends not to be required for treatment of this segment.