Covidien welcomes NICE ruling on heat ablation for varicose veins

Covidien has welcomed a new ruling from the UK's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) that recommends heat ablation therapy for patients with varicose veins.

The regulator has endorsed heat ablation therapy for use as a first-line treatment option instead of the more invasive surgical procedures currently being used, allowing patients to benefit from a walk-in, walk-out procedure that requires only local anaesthetic.

Heat ablation has been associated with reduced levels of pain and quicker recovery times for patients, as well as lower treatment costs.

Covidien is responsible for developing Venefit, a procedure that uses the ClosureFast catheter to treat varicose veins via segmental radiofrequency ablation techniques.

Dr Mark Turco, chief medical officer for vascular therapies at Covidien, said: "The move towards newer, more patient-friendly treatments demonstrating safety, clinical effectiveness and economic value is likely to improve treatment options for patients in the UK affected by varicose veins."

This comes after the firm completed the sale of its pharmaceuticals division earlier this month, a move that allows Covidien to increase its focus on its medical devices and medical supplies operations.