Venous Treatments
Venous diseases are a subset of vascular diseases that mainly affect the veins of the legs and pelvic region. These conditions not only have the potential to severely curtail or diminish an affected person’s quality of life but might give rise to chronic, possibly life-threatening
complications if not checked in good time.
There are various options available to vascular specialists in the treatment and management of these ailments, and those are briefly covered below.
Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA)
Radiofrequency Ablation is a minimally invasive, image-guided procedure used to treat varicose veins. An RFA utilizes high-frequency radio waves directed through a thin tube to create intense heat within the varicose vein. It works by closing up the varicose vein, thereby preventing the flow of blood through it. With this pathway closed, blood will be forced to redirect its course, thus flowing through other healthy vessels. This will also redirect the blood flow into healthy veins to allow the blood to return to the heart. This will result in the elimination of the bulging, swelling, and discomfort of the varicose veins and the provision of an optimal passageway for blood flowing back to the patient’s heart. Performance of this operation is carried out on an outpatient basis, with minimal recovery times and discomfort following.
Sclerotherapy
This is another procedure considered minimally invasive. What happens here is that the physician will inject a sclerosing solution into the affected veins. This technique is suited to the treatment of reticular, spider, or varicose vein conditions. It works by blocking up the affected veins, thereby improving the visible symptoms of the condition gradually. To achieve this result, treatment will take place over the course of multiple therapy sessions spanning several months before completion, depending on the extent or severity of the patient’s condition.
Microphlebectomy
This refers to a procedure involving removing affected varicose veins utilizing tiny incisions made upon the patient’s skin. Carried out under local anesthesia (patient is awake the whole time, with only the area under operation being numbed), it is a minimally invasive technique usually carried out on an out-patient basis.
The incisions themselves will leave very minimal scarring on the skin surface, or none at all in many cases. After the procedure, patients will be required to wear compression stockings for between 1-2 weeks, although they can resume their normal daily activities almost immediately after their appointment.
Treatments for Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT)
IVC Filter Placement and Removal
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) is the condition whereby blood clots form in the veins of a person’s pelvis or legs, and these are capable of breaking apart and having them travel up the patient’s bloodstream into their lungs. This situation is referred to as an embolism. This procedure typically will only be used by our vascular specialists if they believe that mechanical thrombectomy or thrombolytic therapy (thrombolysis) might not be considered suitable for one medical reason or another. Click to learn more about IVC Filter Placement and Removal.
Thrombectomy
In most cases, patients who are given a diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) will have a treatment regimen of anticoagulants, blood thinners, and the use of compression stockings prescribed to them in efforts to encourage the natural healing of their bodies.
The prescription of blood thinners and anticoagulants will keep blood clots from increasing in size or shifting into the patient’s heart or lungs but will not in themselves eliminate the clots or ensure that clots do not form in the future. The solution our specialists offer clients in these instances is the option of removing the DVT-affected vessels through a procedure known as a Mechanical Thrombectomy.
Thrombolytic Therapy or Thrombolysis
Another procedure that is very similar to thrombectomy is thrombolysis. This is where our vascular specialists will use a combination of a thrombolytic agent is injected to the nearest access or blockage site. The agent will reside within the affected area until the blood clot is broken down. Click here to learn more about thrombolytic therapy/thrombolysis treatment.
What to Expect from Your Visit to Pedes
ULTRASOUND
ULTRASOUND
Your treatment will begin with an ultrasound examination of your veins, arteries, or both, in your legs to diagnose the presence and extent of the disease. Your test results will be immediately available to review with the doctor.
CONSULT
CONSULT
Once we review the results of your diagnostic tests, our physicians will help you develop a plan to provide you with the best treatment for your disease.
TREATMENT
TREATMENT
Depending on the extent of disease in your arteries or veins, our specialists may recommend minimally invasive intervention and/or prescribe medications to help your symptoms.
FOLLOW UP
FOLLOW UP
It is important to make sure that you return for every scheduled follow-up appointment to ensure that your disease is appropriately monitored. If you ever have any questions or concerns, please call or schedule a follow-up appointment with our staff.