Results from the initial clinical trial of the ClariVein catheter, used in a new minimally invasive treatment for varicose veins, were delivered at the XVith World Meeting of the Union Internationale de Phlebologie in Monaco in August and the 23rd Annual Meeting of the Eastern Vascular Society in Philadelphia in September.

The device combines mechanical and chemical modalities to accomplish vein treatment in an in-office setting.

Speaking was Steve Elias, MD FACS FACPh, associate professor of surgery at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York and the director of The Centers for Vein Disease at Mount Sinai and Englewood Hospitals. Dr. Elias is the principal investigator of the trial.

“Initial results were very encouraging, and the success rates continue to be excellent as we follow patients over a longer period,” Dr. Elias said. “The success rates are equal to the early results of radiofrequency or laser treatment of great saphenous vein disease.

“The main advantage is that the technique does not require tumescence anesthesia infusion, thus saving significant time and decreasing patient discomfort. In addition, no generator is required and capital and maintenance cost is reduced. This in-office procedure takes about 15 minutes to perform and patients resume normal activity that day. All patients would recommend the procedure to others.”
The ClariVein catheter is a product of Vascular Insights LLC (http://vascularinsights.com) of Madison, Conn. The company engages in the design, development, manufacture and marketing of medical devices for the minimally invasive treatment of peripheral vascular disease. The company has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market ClariVein for infusion of physician-specified agents in the peripheral vasculature.