'Medical University Prof. Dr. Paraskev Stoyanov - Varna'
Doi
Abstract
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a relatively new method for endoluminal thermal occlusion of the incompetent saphenous veins. The aim of the present study was to investigate microscopically the changes in the venous wall after routine RFA procedures. Short pieces (n=7) from the knee segment of the great saphenous vein were taken during RFA procedures. The removed vein segments were immersion fixed in 10% formalin and proceed to routine histology examination. Microscopically, the venous wall after RFA showed circular disintegration of the intimal layer. In addition, cylindrical medial lesions with disintegration and intercellular splits and gaps were observed. No transmural thermal lesions were seen. The present results highlight the mechanism of predetermined tissue damage after RFA procedures of the great saphenous vein
