Chronic Venous Insufficiency
Healthy veins have one-way valves to ensure blood flows in one direction, towards the heart. When valves fail or leak, the blood flows backwards causing it to pool in the veins. The increased pressure from the pooling stretches the vein, causing enlarged, twisted blood vessels. The resulting lumpy, rope-like veins are varicose veins.
While some varicose veins only pose a cosmetic problem, some cases may cause substantial discomfort and health complications. Left untreated, varicose veins can lead to swelling, increased pain, skin discoloration and ulcerations of the lower legs. These ulcerations are difficult to treat and can become easily infected and painful. Many of these symptoms and complications can be prevented by early treatment of varicose veins.
Treatment Options
Many people living with varicose veins do not seek treatment. That’s because varicose veins are often thought of as just a cosmetic problem. Those who suffer from pain and heaviness in their legs, however, know differently. The good news is that there are minimally-invasive treatment options available for varicose veins and CVI.
About the ClosureFast Procedure
The Vein Center of Louisiana uses the ClosureFast™ targeted endovenous therapy. This minimally invasive treatment option normally takes less than an hour and requires only local anesthesia. ClosureFast™ uses radiofrequency energy to seal off the affected vein, so blood gets re-routed to other veins. The physician inserts a sheath into the vein and then inserts a thin laser fiber, which emits light. By delivering just the right wavelength of laser energy to just the right tissue, the incompetent veins (varicose veins) will close. Your body automatically routes the blood to other healthy veins.
Covered by most insurance plans, the ClosureFast™ procedure eliminates varicose veins and improves the appearance of the legs. Your recovery time is short and allows for a quick return to everyday activities.
Highlights of the ClosureFast™ procedure:
- Relief of symptoms
- Resume normal activity within a day
- Outpatient procedure
- Local or general anesthesia
- Good cosmetic outcome with minimal to no scarring, bruising or swelling
The ClosureFast™ procedure, an alternative treatment option to traditional vein stripping surgery, brings state-of-the-art technology to an age-old disease.
The ClosureFast™ procedure is performed on an outpatient basis. Using ultrasound, your physician will position the catheter into the diseased vein, through a small opening in the skin. The tiny catheter delivers radiofrequency (RF) energy to the vein wall. As the RF energy is delivered and the catheter is withdrawn, the vein wall is heated, causing the collagen in the wall to shrink and the vein to close. Once the diseased vein is closed, blood is re-routed to other healthy veins.
Following the procedure, a simple bandage is placed over the insertion site, and additional compression may be provided to aid healing. Your doctor may encourage you to walk, and to refrain from extended standing and strenuous activities for a period of time.
Patients who undergo the ClosureFast™ procedure typically resume normal activities within a day.