Chronic Venous Insufficiency
Varicose veins are abnormal dilation of the leg veins. These veins develop when faulty valves in the veins allow for blood to pool in the leg veins with blood flowing in the reverse direction.
What is a varicose vein?
- Varicose veins are enlarged veins most often found in the legs. These veins develop when faulty valves in the veins allow blood to pool in the leg veins. These veins can appear enlarged, swollen, twisting and blue or purple in color. Patients may experience symptoms such as aching, heaviness, fatigue in the legs, swelling in the ankles, calves or thighs, and spider veins. Some patients with advanced disease may experience skin discoloration, itching and pain in the legs as well as venous wounds which may have delayed healing.
Who is at risk?
- Female sex
- Pregnancy
- Increased weight
- Smoking
What does the research say?
- Minimally invasive endovenous therapies are as effective as surgery
- Endovenous therapies have a 98% initial success rate
- Nonsurgical therapies may have faster recovery times than surgery
Symptoms Of Chronic Venous Insufficiency
Common symptoms associated with varicose veins.
- Aching or throbbing leg pain
- Leg heaviness/fatigue/aching
- Skin discoloration
- Skin ulcers
- Leg swelling
If you and your healthcare provider determine that you have Chronic Venous Insufficiency, it is a good idea to discuss the various treatment options available, including Endovenous Treatment.
Thermal Ablation
- Thermal ablation includes laser ablation or radiofrequency ablation
- Minimally invasive procedure in which a leg vein is accessed using a small needle under direct ultrasound visualization. A catheter is advanced in the affected vein. Laser or radio waves are transmitted through the catheter to close the affected vein.
Sclerotherapy
Minimally invasive procedure in which the abnormally functioning vein is accessed using a small needle under direct ultrasound visualization. A catheter is advanced in the affected vein. A sclerosing agent is infused to close the affected vein.
Venaseal Closure (special medical glue)
This is a novel minimally invasive treatment offered at SPVC. The abnormally functioning vein is accessed with a small needle under ultrasound guidance. A catheter is then advanced into the vein. A special glue is then applied through the length of the vein. This method offers very high success rates, provides the fastest recovery and is essentially painless. The procedure is not yet covered by some insurance companies.
You may be a candidate if:
- You have swelling of legs worsening throughout the day
- You have dilation of leg veins
- You have skin color changes or ulceration of the lower legs
Key Advantages
Endovenous treatments are a safe treatment option and like other minimally invasive procedures have significant advantages over open surgery.
Benefits
- Extensive research demonstrating treatment effectiveness
- Same day procedure
- Local anesthesia
- Short recovery time
- Promotes and speeds venous wound healing
Potential Risks
Although complications of endovascular therapies are rare, any medical procedure carries some degree of risk. Despite the low risk factor, it is important to understand the potential complications associated with endovenous treatments. These include:
- Bruising
- Blood clot development in the deep veins
- Skin discoloration
Medical Treatments
Compression stockings are a mainstay of varicose vein treatment. The stockings compress the legs and the leg veins to reduce the backflow of blood towards the feet.
Surgical Treatments
Surgical treatments including ligation and stripping are rarely used for treatment after the development of endovenous therapies. Surgery may require multiple incisions to remove and ligate the affected veins.
Pelvic congestion syndrome
May-Thurner syndrome
Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT)
A thrombosis is a blood clot. A deep vein thrombosis (DVT) refers to a blood clot in the leg that does not travel to other parts of the body.
Chronic Venous Disease (CVD)
CVD refers to other chronic conditions related to or caused by veins that become diseased or abnormal. These problems can include:
- Varicose Veins & Spider Veins
- Leg Swelling
- Leg Pain, heaviness, aching and fatigue
- Leg Skin Changes
- Chronic Venous Insufficiency
- Non healing ulcers in the legs
- Inflammation or infection in the veins (phlebitis)
