UK's NICE Approves Endovenous Mechanochemical Ablation for Varicose Veins

July 13, 2016—Vascular Insights, LLC announced that the United Kingdom’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recently issued Interventional Procedure Guidance IPG557, approving endovenous mechanochemical ablation for the treatment of varicose veins in the United Kingdom. The updated NICE Guidance was published in May 2016.

Vascular Insights manufactures and markets the ClariVein OC, which is used with endovenous mechanochemical procedures. The ClariVein OC is a specialty infusion catheter for the infusion of physician-specified agents in the peripheral vasculature, including for endovascular occlusion of incompetent veins in patients with superficial venous reflux. The ClariVein OC is not available in the United States, advised the company. 

In the company’s announcement, vascular surgeon Peter Holt, PhD, FRCS, of St. George's Vascular Institute in London, United Kingdom, commented, “The recently published guidelines will allow greater treatment options for those suffering from venous insufficiency. The ClariVein OC catheter is a unique technology that has been widely used in European markets since 2010, in mechanochemical procedures with excellent results.”

According to Vascular Insights, the NICE guidelines provide evidence-based guidance and advice on a range of health topics and conditions. This approval places endovenous mechanochemical ablation on standard arrangements for the treatment of varicose veins, the company says.

Vascular Insights advised that the NICE guidance states, “Current evidence on the safety and efficacy of endovenous mechanochemical ablation for varicose veins appears adequate to support the use of this procedure, provided that standard arrangements are in place for consent, audit, and clinical governance.”

The document further explained, “A NICE guideline describes recommendations for the diagnosis and management of varicose veins. Many people have varicose veins that do not cause any symptoms or need treatment on medical grounds. However, some people will need treatment for the relief of symptoms or if there is evidence of skin discoloration, inflammation, or ulceration. Treatment options include endothermal ablation, ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy, and surgery (usually stripping and ligation of the great and small saphenous veins, and phlebectomies.)”