What are Varicose Veins ?

Varicose veins are swollen, twisted, abnormal veins primarily found in the legs.

What Causes Varicose Veins?

Varicose veins are caused by unhealthy or weakened valves inside the veins. Vein valves can become damaged from natural stretching or weakening from the pressure of blood flowing through the veins. If the valves become weak, blood can collect in your legs and pressure builds up, causing the veins to become large, twisted and weak. Varicose veins often appear through the skin on a person’s legs as blue, bulging and twisted veins, in some cases the veins may be raised or stand out on the surface of the skin.

Varicose Vein Risk Factors

Varicose veins don’t discriminate nearly anyone at any age can develop them. There are certain factors that increase your chances of developing varicose veins. These risk factors include:

• Family history

• Standing or sitting too long

• Being overweight

• Pregnancy

• Aging

• Gender

• Previous leg injury

Signs of Varicose Veins

Swollen, twisted veins aren’t the only indication that you have varicose veins. Other signs and symptoms of varicose veins include:

• Large, bluish or purple-appearing bulging veins that you can see under the surface of your skin

• Swelling in your ankles and feet

• Painful or achy legs that feel “heavy”

• Muscle cramping in your legs—particularly at night

• Itchy legs, especially on your lower leg and ankles

• Burning or throbbing sensations in your legs

• Discolored patches of skin around the area where you have varicose veins

• Stasis dermatitis (rash & itchy skin around your varicose veins). If left untreated, varicose veins rash could develop into venous leg ulcers.

Varicose Veins Treatment that We Provide

Varicose Veins can be treated to prevent them from getting worse. Trusting your varicose veins treatment to be board certified, interventional radiologist makes all the difference.

Our Vascular interventional radiologists have a deep understanding of vein problems and are specially trained in treating venous insufficiency leading to complicated varicose veins. The vein specialists at IRCC Pakistan have treated hundreds of patients nationwide who are suffering from painful varicose veins.

If your condition is severe, rest assured, physicians at IRCC Pakistan are leaders in the diagnosis and treatment of vein and offer the following minimally invasive varicose vein treatments in a safe, comfortable outpatient setting.

• Endovenous Ablation

• Sclerotherapy for reticular and spider veins

• Microphlebectomy

1. Endovenous Ablation

Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA), Endovenous Laser Therapy (EVLT) and non-thermal non-tumescent ablation are safe, effective, minimally invasive procedures for the treatment of varicose veins. With both types of ablation, thermal energy is used to close off a blood vessel in the form of either laser or radiofrequency energy. The failing vein closes and is no longer functional. The closed vein is eventually absorbed by the body.

The ablation procedures are performed in an outpatient setting, do not involve any incisions, and recovery time is minimal. Blood flow is diverted to healthy veins, with no negative effects on blood flow or circulation.

• Endovenous Laser Therapy (EVLT) Endovenous Laser Therapy (EVLT) is a minimally invasive procedure performed under local anesthesia in larger varicose veins in the legs. During the procedure, a laser probe is inserted into the vein using ultrasound as guidance. Laser light pulses are emitted causing the vein to shrink and close off, eliminating blood flow. The entire procedure is typically completed in an hour.
• Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) is an image guided procedure using radiofrequency energy to close varicose veins in the leg. Radiofrequency energy is delivered in small bursts through a tiny catheter causing the vein to shrink around the catheter as the vein is being treated. After radiofrequency ablation, the vein is smaller and thicker, and there is no blood flowing through it. Over time, the vein is absorbed by the surrounding tissues and permanently disappears. The entire procedure is typically completed in an hour.
• Non-thermal Non-tumescent Ablation Novel non-thermal techniques, such as mechanochemical ablation (MOCA) clarivein and cyanoacrylate adhesive glue (CAE) venaseal and foam therapy varithena have been developed to overcome these unwelcome effects of thermal ablation. So far, the novel techniques have been found to have similar efficacy to thermal methods.

Benefits of Endovenous Ablation Procedures