Dr. Angelo Makris of Hinsdale IL, a renown interventional radiologist, opens a vein center in the upscale Promenade of Oak Brook complex. Dr. Makris discusses the process involved in mitigating varicose veins.
Dr. Angelo Makris can be reached at 630-990-9729 or amakris@AAC-llc.com
Interventional Radiology: Nonsurgical Outpatient Procedure Treats Varicose Veins
Venous insufficiency is a very common condition resulting from pooling of blood within leg veins due to poorly functioning vein valves. Normally, one-way valves in the veins keep blood flowing toward the heart. When standing, the valves close. With exercise, the muscles of the thigh and calf contract, forcing the blood through the valves against the force of gravity. When the valves become incompetent, they don’t close properly. This allows blood to flow in reverse, a condition called venous reflux. When venous reflux is present, there is increased hydrostatic pressure within the vein causing it to become dilated and varicose.
- Approximately half of the U.S. population has venous disease–50 to 55% of women and 40 to 45% of men. Of these, 20 to 25% of the women and 10 to 15% of men will have visible varicose veins.
- Varicose veins affect 1 out of 2 people age 50 and older, and 15 to 25% of all adults.
Symptoms
Symptoms caused by venous insufficiency and varicose veins include leg aching, pain, and heaviness. These symptoms tend to be worse by the end of the day and are relieved by rest and elevating the legs. With advanced venous insufficiency, open wounds may develop. These are called venous stasis ulcers.
People without visible varicose veins can still have symptoms. The symptoms can arise from spider veins as well as from varicose veins, because, in both cases, the symptoms are caused by pressure on nerves by dilated veins.
Diagnosis
An ultrasound examination can assess the valves within the leg veins. A vein map is developed labeling the good veins from the ones with leaky valves. Treatment is then targeted at the veins with the faulty valves.
Vein Ablation Treatment
This minimally-invasive treatment is an outpatient procedure performed using ultrasound guidance. After numbing the vein with local anesthetic, a thin fiber is inserted within the vein using ultrasound guidance. Laser of radiofrequency energy is delivered to the fiber which generates heat. This heat cauterizes the vein and seals the vein closed.
By sealing the vein with the leaky valves, the varicose veins, which are close to the skin, shrink and improve in appearance. Once the diseased vein is closed, other healthy veins take over to carry blood from the leg, re-establishing normal flow.
Benefits of Vein Ablation Treatment
- The outpatient treatment takes less than an hour and provides immediate relief of symptoms.
- Minimally invasive alternative to surgical “vein stripping”
- Immediate return to normal activity with little or no pain. There may be minor soreness or bruising, which can be treated with over-the-counter pain relievers.
- No scars or stitches - because the procedure does not require a surgical incision, just a nick in the skin, about the size of a pencil tip.
- High success rate and low recurrence rate compared to surgery.
- The success rate ranges for vein ablation ranges from 93 - 95 percent.
Insurance
Many insurance carriers cover the vein ablation treatment, based on medical necessity for symptom relief.
