Vein Care - What Are the Risks and Benefits

Varicose veins are a cosmetic concern for many, but they can cause severe pain and other symptoms. When over-the-counter medications and a healthy diet aren't enough to alleviate the discomfort, it's time to visit Center for Advanced Vein Care.

Most varicose veins are hereditary, but lifestyle factors like pregnancy, obesity and prolonged sitting or standing can also contribute to their formation. If left untreated, varicose veins can eventually burst and lead to skin ulcers, blood clots and nerve damage in the legs.

There are several effective, minimally invasive treatments that can treat the condition and relieve symptoms. Compared to traditional surgery, most vein treatment procedures are safe and have low rates of complications. However, it's important to understand the risks involved before undergoing treatment.

Vein treatment is often covered by insurance. The exact type of coverage varies by policy, but most plans cover treatments for chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), which are considered medically necessary to prevent more serious health problems. For most patients, this includes treatments to repair or remove diseased veins, such as sclerotherapy, radiofrequency endovenous ablation and VNUS closure therapy.

Most of these treatment options can be performed in a health care provider's office and may take an hour or less to complete. Before the procedure, a health care provider will do a physical exam and ask about your past illnesses, family history and other risk factors for varicose veins. It's also important to tell your doctor if you're taking aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), naproxen sodium (Aleve, Anaprox DS), blood thinners or other drugs that can increase the risk of bleeding or interfere with the results of a vein procedure.

During ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy, your health care provider uses duplex ultrasound to pinpoint the affected vein and guide an exceptionally fine needle into it. A sclerosing agent is injected into the vein, causing it to seal shut. Over time, the closed vein will fade from view and nearby healthy veins will automatically redirect blood flow. The procedure can be repeated as needed to eliminate the diseased vein.

Another minimally invasive option is radiofrequency endovenous ablation, in which your doctor inserts a catheter into the diseased vein. The catheter delivers heat to the walls of the affected vein in 20-second bursts. This causes the vein to seal shut and eventually collapse, causing it to disappear from view and be naturally rerouted by your body. This procedure is similar to sclerotherapy, but is more extensive and requires a small incision at the knee.

VNUS closure is the latest minimally invasive vein-closing technology. Your health care provider inserts a catheter into the damaged vein and, using VNUS closure technology, delivers electrical heat in short bursts to the diseased vein wall. This causes the vein wall to collapse and close, allowing blood to naturally reroute through other healthy veins in your leg. Your doctor may also recommend anticoagulants after your procedure to help reduce the risk of blood clots. The risks for this procedure vary from person to person, but are generally lower than those for sclerotherapy or other more invasive therapies.