RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Treatment of pathologic perforator veins (PPVs) can shorten time to healing and reduce recurrence of ulcers in patients with advanced venous disease. Because of limited clinical evidence and device options, widespread adoption of PPV treatment is controversial. The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of endovenous laser therapy using a 400-µm optical fiber to treat PPVs. METHODS: This study was a single-arm, prospective, seven-center, nonblinded clinical study examining patients with advanced skin changes or healed or active ulceration (Clinical, Etiology, Anatomy, and Pathophysiology clinical class C4b, C5, and C6). Patients received treatment with a 1470-nm laser. Procedural technical success and 10-day primary closure were evaluated. All device-related adverse events were reported. Follow-up of patients was continued for 12 months after initial ablation. RESULTS: The primary PPV closure (at 10-day visit) rate was 76.9% (95% confidence interval, 70.3%-82.4%). Successful primary closure rates of 75.7%, 70.3%, 62.1%, 68.8%, and 71.3% of PPVs were achieved at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, and 12 months, respectively. Statistically significant improvements (P < .05) were seen in patients' quality of life at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, and 12 months compared with screening. The percentage of patients with ulcers (22.9% at screening, 14.1% at 1 month, 13.7% at 3 months, 10.1% at 6 months, 12.3% at 9 months, and 11.1% at 12 months) displayed improvement during the course of the study. Tibial deep venous thrombosis and procedural pain were the only device-related adverse events observed. CONCLUSIONS: Endovenous laser therapy for PPV using the 400-µm optical fiber with the 1470-nm laser yielded safe and effective outcomes with no major adverse sequelae.