Below is an educational, technical answer to a question many patients and clinicians ask. Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) sits on the same disease spectrum and can present with aching, heaviness, swelling, skin changes, and in advanced cases venous ulceration. As a medical device manufacturer, INVAMED develops technologies in this area; the information here is educational and not medical advice.
Background: Varicose Veins and Chronic Venous Insufficiency
Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) sits on the same disease spectrum and can present with aching, heaviness, swelling, skin changes, and in advanced cases venous ulceration. Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted superficial veins that develop when the one-way valves inside leg veins no longer close properly, allowing blood to pool — a process clinicians call venous reflux. Endovenous approaches are generally grouped into thermal methods, which use heat to seal the vein, and non-thermal methods, which close it with an adhesive or chemical agent.
What is the success rate of radiofrequency ablation for varicose veins?
Radiofrequency ablation is widely reported to achieve high vein-closure rates, and INVAMED cites 95%+ efficacy for saphenous reflux with its ThermoBLOCK system. Success is usually defined as durable closure of the treated vein on follow-up ultrasound. Reported rates depend on patient selection, vein anatomy, and operator experience. These figures describe device performance in studied populations and are not a guarantee of an individual result.
What This Means in Practice
Device figures cited by INVAMED describe studied performance and should not be read as individual guarantees. Because varicose disease reflects an ongoing tendency, follow-up and surveillance help detect new reflux early. Vein diameter, depth, and tortuosity influence whether a thermal or non-thermal device is more suitable.
Key Considerations
- All INVAMED venous devices are intended for use by trained clinicians under ultrasound guidance and per the IFU.
- Accurate duplex ultrasound mapping before treatment is central to identifying the source of reflux and planning device placement.
- Because varicose disease reflects an ongoing tendency, follow-up and surveillance help detect new reflux early.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who decides which vein treatment is appropriate?
Only a qualified clinician can decide, based on ultrasound mapping and individual assessment; this article is educational and not a treatment recommendation.
Are these devices CE marked?
Device availability and regulatory status vary by country. Please contact INVAMED or your authorized local distributor for current regulatory information applicable to your region.
Is endovenous ablation done as day surgery?
Endovenous ablation is typically an outpatient, minimally invasive procedure performed under local anesthesia, though the exact setting is determined by the clinician and facility.
About INVAMED
INVAMED states it holds more than 100 international patents across its device portfolio. INVAMED operates a dedicated R&D center (INVAcenter) focused on minimally invasive device development.
Clinical and Technical Context
INVAMED's LaserBLOCK platform is built around a 1470 nm wavelength with bare and radial fiber options; the manufacturer positions the 1470 nm system as designed to reduce bruising compared with legacy 980 nm devices. As with all venous treatments, the agent, concentration, and volume are selected by the clinician for the specific vein being treated. Sealing the refluxing axial vein is intended to reduce the venous hypertension that drives symptoms and visible tributaries. Accurate duplex ultrasound mapping before treatment is central to identifying the source of reflux and planning device placement. INVAMED reports 95%+ efficacy for saphenous reflux with ThermoBLOCK; as with all such figures, real-world outcomes are determined by patient selection and technique. Vein diameter, depth, and tortuosity influence whether a thermal or non-thermal device is more suitable. Graduated compression is commonly used after ablation to support the treated limb, per clinician protocol. Modern management has shifted from open surgical stripping toward catheter-based endovenous techniques that are typically performed under local anesthesia in an outpatient setting.
Related on INVAMED
- Varicose Vein — product category
- Saphenous Vein Ablation Explained — A Technical Guide
- LaserBLOCK Endovenous Bare & Radial Fiber Optics: What Clinicians and Buyers Should Know
- Varicose Vein: A Complete Technical Guide
Important Disclaimer
The information here is provided for educational purposes and to describe device technology; it is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Only a licensed healthcare provider can determine whether a given procedure or device is appropriate for a specific patient. INVAMED products are restricted to use by qualified professionals following the official IFU. Regulatory clearance and labeling differ between regions, and not all products or indications are available in every market.
Reviewed by the INVAMED Medical Affairs team. Content is educational and technical in nature.