The Venefit™ procedure is a minimally invasive treatment for varicose veins and Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI) in which Dr. Mark Erhard inserts a Covidien ClosureFast™ Endovenous Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) Catheter to collapse and close enlarged leg veins. After the vein is sealed shut, blood then naturally re-routes to healthy veins.

The ClosureFast™ catheter is inserted into the vein through a tiny incision below the knee. Guided by ultrasound imaging, the Dr. Erhard treats a 7 cm segment of vein with a 20-second burst of radiofrequency energy, causing the vessel to shrink around the catheter. Dr. Erhard withdraws the catheter, treating each segment until the entire length of the vein has been sealed. An average 45 cm length vein can be treated in this manner in just three to five minutes. Unlike painful vein stripping surgery or laser ablation, the catheter delivers uniform, consistent heat to each segment and temperatures do not exceed 120°C. As a result, the Venefit procedure causes less bruising and allows for rapid patient relief and recovery. The Venefit procedure is performed in our Wayzata office as an outpatient procedure and is sometimes covered by health insurance. We receommed our patients contact their insurance company directly to verify coverage.

Minimally Invasive: The Venefit procedure eliminates the need for groin surgery and general anesthesia. The procedure also results in little to no scarring and is performed using local anesthesia in our Wayzata office.

Less Pain, Less Bruising, Faster Recovery The 2009 RECOVERY Study compared the experience of patients treated with the ClosureFast catheter and those treated with the 980 nm laser. The study demonstrated:

• Less pain, bruising and complications with the ClosureFast catheter
• Up to four times faster improvement in patients’ quality of life with ClosureFast catheter versus laser based on a quality of life questionnaire
• Other studies have shown that patients receiving the Venefit procedure return to normal activity and work significantly faster than those undergoing vein stripping

Excellent Clinical Outcomes: The ClosureFast catheter has been shown in a prospective, international multi-center study to be 93% effective at three years using Kaplan Meier analysis. The Venefit procedure is performed as a medical necessity as diagnosed by Dr. Mark Erhard. It is not designed to address spider veins or cosmetic issues. However, the successful treatment of CVI using the Venefit procedure can produce cosmetic improvements. As with any medical procedure, you should consult Dr. Erhard and review all safety information associated with any procedure.

Venefit™ Targeted Endovenous Therapy is an effective treatment for varicose veins and Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI). In a comparative multi-center study on the treatment of great saphenous reflux, the Venefit™ procedure delivered by the ClosureFast™ catheter demonstrated less pain, less bruising, and fewer complications than 980 nm laser ablation.

To determine if the Venefit procedure is right for you, we invite you to set up a consultation with Dr. Mark Erhard by calling our office 952.473.6642.