Device is first to use adhesive to cut off blood supply
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the VenaSeal closure system (VenaSeal system) to permanently treat varicose veins of the legs by sealing the affected superficial veins using an adhesive agent in 20.02,2015.
There are two types of veins—deep veins and superficial veins. Superficial veins are those that are close to the skin. Veins contain one – way valves that open to let blood flow through and then shut to keep blood from flowing backward. When valves of the superficial system are weak or damaged, blood can back up and pool, which can cause varicose veins that are enlarged, swollen or twisted.
Varicose veins often cause no symptoms but some patients may experience mild to moderate pain, blood clots, skin ulcers or other problems, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute at the National Institutes of Health. If these issues occur, health care professionals may recommend treatment such as compression stockings or medical procedures to remove or close the affected veins.
Sealing truncal veins
The VenaSeal system is intended for patients with superficial varicose veins of the legs that cause symptoms. The sterile kit is made up of an adhesive, a specially formulated n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate, and delivery system components that include a catheter, guidewire, dispenser gun, dispenser tips, and syringes.
The device must be used as a system and differs from procedures that use drugs, laser, radio waves or cuts in the skin to close or remove veins. A trained healthcare professional inserts the catheter through the skin into the diseased vein to allow injection of the VenaSeal adhesive, a clear liquid that polymerizes into solid material. The healthcare professional monitors proper placement of the catheter using ultrasound imaging during delivery of the adhesive into the diseased vein to seal it.
First Sealing system for veins – quick return to activity
“This new system is the first to permanently treat varicose veins by sealing them with an adhesive, thereby giving patients another treatment option for this common condition,” said William Maisel, M.D., M.P.H., acting director of the Office of Device Evaluation in the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health. “Because the VenaSeal system does not incorporate heat application or cutting, the in-office procedure can allow patients to quickly return to their normal activities, with less bruising.”
The FDA reviewed data for the VenaSeal system in a premarket approval application, the agency’s pathway to evaluate safety and effectiveness of Class III medical devices. Data supporting the FDA approval included results from three clinical studies sponsored by the manufacturer. The U.S. clinical study assessed the safety and effectiveness of the VenaSeal system in 108 participants compared to radio-frequency ablation in 114 participants. The trials showed the device to be safe and effective for vein closure for the treatment of symptomatic superficial varicose veins of the legs.
The VenaSeal system should not be used in patients who have a known hypersensitivity to the VenaSeal adhesive, acute inflammation of the veins due to blood clots or acute whole-body infection. Adverse events observed in the trial—and generally associated with treatments of this condition—included vein inflammation (phlebitis) and burning or tingling (paresthesia) in the treatment zone.
VenaSeal in payment
The US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has posted the 2018 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (CMS-1678-F) and Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment and Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment Systems (CMS-1678-FC). As part of the final rulings, healthcare providers will now be able to bill for VenaSeal utilising the new CPT codes 36482 and 36483. These new codes will take effect on 1 January, 2018.
Die US-Center für Gesundheitsfürsorge und Medizinische Versorgung haben in neuen Verordnungen sowohl für frei praktizierende Ärzte als auch für ambulant therapierte Patienten von Krankenhäusern die Kostenübernahme des VenaSeal-Venenklebers ab 1.1.2018 festgelegt.
FDA: safety, effectiveness, security of drugs and medical devices
The FDA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, protects the public health by assuring the safety, effectiveness, and security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines and other biological products for human use, and medical devices. The agency also is responsible for the safety and security of our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, dietary supplements, products that give off electronic radiation, and for regulating tobacco products.
Links:
http://www.venaseal.com/2011/09/sapheon-receives-ce-mark-approval-for-new-varicose-vein-treatment/
https://www.saphenion.de/news/data-demonstrates-durability-of-venasealtm/
https://www.saphenion.de/news/fda-approves-closure-system/
https://venousnews.com/medtronic-favourable-cms-ruling-venaseal/