The Vein Center

Did You Know?

Approximately 50% of the U.S. population has venous disease, while 15% - 25% have varicose veins.

The Vein Center at GVI

Your veins carry blood from the capillaries in your body to your heart. In your leg, this means the blood has to flow upward, against gravity. These veins have one-way valves to prevent blood from backflowing. Over time these valves can fail to close tightly, this results in what is known as reflux, allowing blood to pool and cause the veins to become enlarged because they are congested with blood. These bulging and twisting veins are called varicose veins. Spider veins also result from a pooling of blood but they are red, blue or purple small and thin veins on the surface of the skin.

Vein Treatments at GVI

Venus Reflux Education

Benefits of Verithena

Symptoms

What Problems Do They Cause?

Varicose and spider veins
Pain in the legs
Heaviness, fatigue, aching, throbbing
Burning, itching, cramping, restlessness
Leg swelling can occur
Eczema and inflammation
Severe varicose veins can lead to ulcers
Skin discoloration
Cosmetically unappealing

Treatment

When and how are veins treated?

The most commonly asked questions are: Do veins require treatment? and What treatment is best?

Veins are treated for two reasons: For symptoms such as pain or those that are cosmetically unappealing. There are generally two treatment options: conservative measures, such as compression stockings, or corrective treatment including Ablation treatment, Sclerotherapy, and Ambulatory Phlebectomy.

In most cases a combination of these treatments will be utilized.

Radiofreqency Ablation (Closure-Fast Procedure)

How is an ablation procedure different from surgery?

Traditional surgery involves general anesthesia, pain in the affected areas, and a lengthy recovery period. The medical ablation (radiofrequency) technology eliminates all of that.

First, its minimally invasive, meaning a small catheter is inserted through a needle stick in the skin, into the vein. This is done in an office setting with local anesthetic. The entry point is extremely small, not even requiring stitches. The catheter delivers radiofrequency to the vein wall, causing heat. The vein then collapses and shuts.

Second, there is little recovery to speak of. In fact, you’ll be up and walking as soon as its over. Following the procedure a bandage and compression hose is placed on the treated leg prior to going home and able to return to full normal activity.

Third, the risk for infection and other complications is extremely low. And there is minimal discomfort.

Mechanico-Chemical Ablation (Clarivein)

Ambulatory Phlebectomy

Ambulatory phlebectomy is a technique used to remove surface varicose veins under local anesthesia on an outpatient basis in the office. Tiny incisions (stitches are generally not needed) and typically leave nearly imperceptible puncture mark scars. After the vein has been removed by Phlebectomy, a bandage and compression stocking is worn for a short period.

Before & After Phlebectomy

Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy can be used to treat varicose veins but is mainly used for treating spider veins. A tiny needle is used to inject the veins with a medication that irritates the lining of the vein The veins then collapse and are reabsorbed. The surface (spider) veins are no longer visible.

You may need anywhere from one to several Sclerotherapy sessions for any vein region. Depending on the type and number of veins being treated you may have on to many injections per session. Compression stockings are usually worn for several weeks after the procedure.

The procedure is done in an office with minimal discomfort. Bruising and pigmentation may occur after the treatment. This typically disappears within 1-2 weeks. Although pigmentation almost always fades, it can last for several months.