Vein Care

More than 25 million people in the United States, the majority of who are women, suffer from venous disease — a condition that often results in varicose veins and other painful symptoms.

About 70-75 percent of varicose vein patients also suffer from underlying venous reflux — the abnormal or backward flow of blood due to incompetent (leaky) valves. Venous reflux in the Greater Saphenous Vein (GSV) — one of the two major vessels in the superficial venous system — is often the underlying cause of varicose veins.

Diagnosis

HealthEast Vascular Center specializes in the evaluation and treatment of all types of venous disease including the treatment of varicose and spider veins. We offer thorough clinical examinations and non-invasive diagnostic testing (Duplex imaging) before treatment is begun.

Treatment

Patients have several lifestyle choices for treating varicose veins including changes in diet and exercise and wearing support hose. When these are insufficient, patients may opt for any of the following procedures, all available at HealthEast Vascular Center.

All procedures have the goal of reducing pressure. Since valves cannot be repaired, the alternative is to route blood flow through healthy veins.

Vein Stripping

This involves surgical removal of the saphenous vein, thus directing blood flow to veins with competent valves. This is performed at our Outpatient Surgery Center.

Ambulatory Phlebectomy (partial stripping)

This surgical technique was developed in the 1950s to treat surface veins. Procedure removes the diseased veins through a series of very small punctures or incisions. This is done in our office or at our Outpatient Surgery Center.

VNUS Closure® (radiofrequency vein oblation)

This is intended for endovascular coagulation of blood vessels in patients with superficial venous reflux.

This procedure involves the physician making a single needle-sized incision near the knee (see image at right) and inserting the slender Closure catheter, guided via ultrasound, into the saphenous vein. The ca Radiofrquency Generator theter is then positioned and energized with a radiofrequency (RF) generator (see image below, left) and slowly withdrawn, sealing the vein shut. Once this occurs, blood flow immediately diverts to healthy veins with functioning valves.

This is only used to treat GSV and reflux at the Sapheno-Femoral Junction.

Benefits of the VNUS Closure procedure

Minimally invasive
Relief of symptoms
Short recovery
Less post-operative pain, bruising and discomfort than other surgical treatments
Resume normal activities within 1-2 days
Same-day procedure
Local or regional anesthesia
Good cosmetic outcome with minimal to no scarring

Effectiveness of the VNUS Closure procedure

Studies report that over 90% of veins treated with the Closure remain closed, reflux free, after two years.

The results from the VNUS international multi-center clinical registry as noted in the August 2003 Journal of Vascular Surgery, continue to demonstrate a highly effective, stable outcome with a four-year follow-up. Of patients reflux-free at one year, 94.1% remain reflux-free at latest follow-up out to four years.

More than 25,000 patients have undergone the VNUS Closure procedure to date.

For more information on VNUS Closure (or any vein care procedures), contact the HealthEast Vascular Center at 651-232-2550.