Endovenous laser ablation using different wavelengths and fibers

ISRCTN	ISRCTN07784216
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN07784216
Protocol serial number	N/A
Sponsor	Bergman Clinics (Netherlands)
Funder	Bergman Clinics (Netherlands)

Submission date: 16/06/2013
Registration date: 18/03/2014
Last edited: 18/03/2014

Recruitment status: No longer recruiting
Overall study status: Completed
Condition category: Circulatory System

Prospectively registered

Protocol

Statistical analysis plan

Results

Individual participant data

Record updated in last year

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
Endovenous laser treatment involves having a catheter inserted into your vein and using an ultrasound scan to guide it into the correct position. A tiny laser is passed through the catheter and positioned at the top of your varicose vein.
The laser delivers short bursts of energy that heat up the vein and seal it closed. The laser is slowly pulled along the vein using the ultrasound scan to guide it and allowing the entire length of the vein to be closed.
810nm endovenous laser ablation is an effective treatment for varicose veins but pain after the procedure is a common side effect .
The aim of this study is to find out whether the new 1470 nm endovenous laser ablation system improves treatment for patients with varicose veins compared with the 810nm laser.

Who can participate?
Patients aged 18 and above diagnosed with varicose veins.

What does the study involve?
Patients are randomly allocated to one of three different laser wavelengths and fibres for endovenous varicose vein treatment.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Less pain bruising and tightness after the procedure and better work productivity.
There is no risk of participating. Endovenous laser is a minimally invasive standard procedure. There will be no additional treatments in one of the groups. There are no reports in the literature of an increased risk of an ELVeS treatment. It is therefore not expected that the patient who participates in this study are at any extra risk.

Where is the study run from?
The study is run from Bergman Clinics, Netherlands.

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
The study started in August 2013 and is expected to run until August 2014.

Who is funding the study?
Bergman Clinics, Netherlands.

Who is the main contact?
Dr BCVM Disselhoff

Contact information

Dr Ben Disselhoff
Scientific

Singel 1 F
BUSSUM
1402NN
Netherlands

Study information

Primary study design	Interventional
Study design	Randomized single-blinded single-centre single-operator (BD) clinical trial
Secondary study design	Randomised controlled trial
Study type	Participant information sheet
Scientific title	Randomized clinical trial comparing 810 nm and 1470 nm endovenous laser ablation for varicose veins
Study objectives	To investigate whether the 1470 nm diode laser improves the outcome of endovenous laser ablation for patients with primary varicose veins due to duplex documented reflux of the great saphenous vein (GSV).
Ethics approval(s)	Not provided at time of registration
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied	Varicose veins, great saphenous vein, endovenous laser
Intervention	Patients are randomized to one of three groups: Group 1: receives EVLA with the 810 nm laser and a never touch fiber Group 2: receives ELVeS with the 1470 nm laser using a bare fiber Group 3: receives ELVeS with the 1470 nm laser using a 2ring radial fiber
Intervention type	Other
Primary outcome measure(s)	Primary safety outcome: Pain: The patients registered an overall pain score on a visual analogue scale from 0 (no pain) to 100 (worst imaginable pain) for the first 14 days after treatment. The research nurse recorded the pain score and a statistician calculated the scores. Primary efficacy outcome: Abolition of reflux: Abolition of GSV reflux is confirmed by Duplex ultrasound. The diagnostic duplex criteria for abolition of reflux of the treated GSV segment. GSV is defined as the absence of retrograde flow lasting longer than 0.5 s on Duplex scanning. Measured at 6 weeks and at 3 months.
Key secondary outcome measure(s)	Secondary safety outcomes: 1. Tightness: The patients registered a tightness score on a visual analogue scale from 0 (no pain) to 100 (worst imaginable tightness) for the first 14 days after treatment. The research nurse recorded the tightness score and a statistician calculated the scores. 2. Bruising/ecchymosis: The patients registered a bruising score on a visual analogue scale from 0 (no pain) to 100 (worst imaginable bruising) for the first 14 days after treatment. The research nurse recorded the bruising score and a statistician calculated the scores. 3. Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI) score: Work and activity outcomes were assessed using the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment GH questionnaire. All four domains of the WPAI questionnaire were assessed: 1. Absenteeism; 2. Presenteeism (reduction in productivity at work); 3. Overall work impairment; 4. Overall activity impairment. Measured at 14 days after treatment. 4. Deep vein thrombi (DVT)/pulmonary embolism (PE): All patients were requested to contact us if symptoms of DVT or PE developed. The diagnostic duplex criteria for thrombosis were abnormal or lack of vessel wall compressibility, intraluminal thrombus formation (mass) and absence of flow in the deep venous system. Secondary efficacy outcome: 1. Occlusion of the vein: Occlusion of the treated GSV vein segment is confirmed by Duplex ultrasound. The diagnostic duplex criteria for occlusion of the treated GSV is demonstrated by its complete occlusion or obliteration, confirmed by Duplex ultrasound. Measured at 6 weeks and 3 months. 2. Improvement in AVVVS (Aberdeen Varicose Vein Severity Score): a disease-specific quality of life measure, is recorded by the research fellow and calculated by a statistician. Measured at 6 weeks and 3 months.
Completion date	01/08/2014

Eligibility

Participant type(s)	Patient
Age group	Adult
Lower age limit	18 Years
Sex	All
Target sample size at registration	150
Key inclusion criteria	1. Age over 18 years 2. Patients with varicose veins stages C3-C6, Ep,AS3,Pr (according to CEAP classification criteria), with primary symptomatic unilateral varicose vein due to duplex documented reflux of the GSV 3. Duplex documented GSV criteria: refluxtime > 0.5s and GSV located in the saphenous compartment 4. Duplex documented endovenous procedure criteria: GSV diameter between 3 and 20 mm, absence of thrombus mass in the target vein
Key exclusion criteria	1. Concomitant reflux of anterior accessory great saphenous vein (AAGSV), posterior accessory great saphenous vein (APGSV) and superficial accessory great saphenous vein (ASGSV) 2. GSV not located in the saphenous compartment 3. Extreme tortuosity 4. Patients with fibromyalgia and RA, active, and/or in the family 5. Pregnancy and breastfeeding 6. Documented deep venous thrombosis/pulmonary embolism 7. Previous surgical treatments
Date of first enrolment	01/08/2013
Date of final enrolment	01/08/2014

Locations

Countries of recruitment

Netherlands

Study participating centre

Singel 1 F

BUSSUM
1402NN
Netherlands

Results and Publications

Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share	No
IPD sharing plan summary	Not provided at time of registration
IPD sharing plan

Study outputs

Output type	Details	Date created	Date added	Peer reviewed?	Patient-facing?
Participant information sheet	Participant information sheet	11/11/2025	11/11/2025	No	Yes