Cleaning the tip with povidone-iodine solution significantly reduces power output from a radial emission endovenous laser catheter using 1470nm.

Read the full article See related articles

Listed in

This article is not in any list yet, why not save it to one of your lists.
Log in to save this article

Abstract

Background:Endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) is a first line recommended treatment for incompetent truncal veins in the legs. The current “industry standard” is a single ring radially firing catheter, using a 1470nm diode laser. It is common for doctors to treat more than one vein, and they often clean the catheter tip before re-introduction. We have observed some doctors using normal saline for this, but others using povidone-iodine. The aim of this in-vitro study was to determine whether povidone-iodine reduces the power being emitted from the catheter tip. Methods:Five radial catheters were tested, each connected in turn to a 1470nm diode laser set at 10W. Power emission was measured by a laser power detector connected to a power meter. The power meter recorded an average (mode) of the readings once the laser had reached a steady state. Each catheter was tested firing in air, after dipping in normal saline, then povidone-iodine and finally after wiping the povidone-iodine off the tip with a surgical gauze.Results:The emitted power recorded for air (9.05W) was significantly (p<0.05) more than for normal saline (8.90W), povidone-iodine (8.69W) and post-wiping off povidone-iodine (8.87W). The power emitted with povidone-iodine on the tip was significantly less than with normal saline, which mimics the situation of the catheter in a vein surrounded by tumescence anaesthesia.Conclusion:In a laboratory setting, povidone-iodine on the tip of a radially firing catheter transmitting laser energy at 1470nm, significantly reduces the power being emitted.

Article activity feed