“The use of a transcutaneous high-intensity focused ultrasound [HIFU] device is definitely a viable alternative to existing thermal and non-thermal methods.” That was the message from Steve Elias (Englewood Hospital and Medical Center, Englewood, USA) at the 2026 American Venous Forum (AVF) annual meeting this week (28 February–4 March, Denver, USA).
During the Villavicencio session, Elias presented the final results from the multicentre pivotal trial of HIFU using the Sonovein (Theraclion) device.
He reported that the data confirm its safety and efficacy in the treatment of primary insufficiency in the great saphenous vein (GSV). The trial took place across four sites—two in the USA and two in Europe—and enrolled 70 patients.
Sixty-eight patients completed the study out to one year, with Elias telling AVF 2026 the data revealed an occlusion rate of 96.8% and reflux abolition rate of 98.6%.
