Dr. Keefer offered several proactive measures that people can take to avoid vein issues, including: • Exercise regularly to increase the blood flow in your legs; • Maintain a healthy weight; • Elevate your legs in the evening; • Wear compression stockings if you are on your feet or sitting a lot. To learn more, visit: The Coastal Vascular & Vein Center 1327 Ashley River Road, Charleston coastalvvc.com • 843-577-4551 1327 Ashley River Rd. Charleston, SC 29407 2575 Elms Center Rd., Ste. 200 Charleston, SC 29406 ENDOVENOUS THERMAL ABLATION Endovenous thermal ablation is a minimally invasive treatment that involves the insertion of a thin, flexible tube called a catheter into a diseased vein to seal it shut using heat. Blood that would normally return to the heart through these veins will then travel through other veins instead, as is the intent with all treatments listed. The treated vein dries up, shrinks and is absorbed by the body. Two types of thermal energy may be used: • Radiofrequency ablation uses radio frequency energy to provide uniformly distributed heat to contract the collagen in the vein walls, causing them to collapse and seal off. An example of this treatment option is the ClosureFastTM RFA system. • Laser ablation delivers laser energy to heat the blood, causing it to coagulate and close off the diseased vein. NONTHERMAL TREATMENTS Endovenous nonthermal treatments use a minimally invasive approach that involves insertion of a catheter into the diseased vein. With nonthermal methods, tumescent anesthesia is not needed. • Mechanochemical ablation uses a rotating catheter inserted into the vein to scar the vein walls as a sclerosant medication is injected through the catheter to close the vein. • Injectable foam sclerotherapy uses polidocanol injectable microfoam through a catheter inserted into the diseased vein to fill and collapse the vessel. NONTHERMAL, NONTUMESCENT AND NONSCLEROSANT TREATMENT The VenaSealTM closure system is the only approved treatment that is nonthermal, nontumescent and nonsclerosant. It uses a proprietary cyanoacrylate adhesive delivered through a catheter into the diseased vessel. The VenaSeal procedure closes the vein by sealing it with a combination of the adhesive and external compression. SCLEROTHERAPY Sclerotherapy is a varicose and spider vein treatment in which a chemical solution is injected into problematic veins. This solution irritates the vein lining, causing it to undergo fibrosis and eventually disappear so abnormal veins can no longer fill with blood. In a few weeks, the diseased vein will be absorbed by the body. Multiple treatments may be needed to close the damaged vein. Vein specialists will often use sodium tetradecyl sulfate – SotradecolTM* – or polidocanol (AscleraTM*) treatments, which can be done in a doctor’s office without anesthesia. THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF CVI Without treatment, people with CVI may experience progressive symptoms that can be debilitating and significantly impact quality of life. People who suffer from CVI may experience: • Leg heaviness or tiredness; • Leg or ankle swelling; • Varicose veins; • Itching, restless leg; • Skin changes or rashes; • Brown, colored skin on leg; • Ulcers, open sores; • Leg pain, aching or cramping. MINIMALLY INVASIVE TREATMENT OPTIONS
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