Midcoast Cardiovascular AssociatesVenous Reflux and Varicose Veins – When to Ask for Endovenous Ablation

Venous Reflux and Varicose Veins – When to Ask for Endovenous Ablation

Are you bothered by the presence of unsightly and uncomfortable varicose or spider veins? Venous insufficiency can develop as a result of a sedentary lifestyle, obesity or, in most cases, simply aging and genetics. Symptoms of venous insufficiency are not only unsightly but can also prove to be uncomfortable, such as:

  • Skin irritation, including skin ulcers
  • Aching or heaviness in the legs
  • Skin discoloration
  • Leg swelling

If you are bothered by the presence of bulging, twisting varicose veins, then come on into Midcoast Cardiovascular Associates to receive the best in minimally invasive venous insufficiency treatments with endovenous ablation.

What Is Venous Reflux?

While arteries are responsible for outsourcing oxygenated blood from the heart to the vital organs, veins are primarily responsible for returning the spent blood back to the heart so that the circulatory process can begin again.

In order to keep blood moving against gravity when circulating through the lower body, the veins utilize a system of one-way valves and muscle contractions. Over time, the valves responsible for keeping blood moving in an upward flow can age and begin to fail, causing venous reflux. Blood then begins to pool in the veins of the lower body and can remain stuck in place without the help of a specialized treatment.

How Does Endovenous Ablation Work?

Endovenous ablation uses radiofrequency (RF) energy to safely and painlessly eliminate problem veins that are responsible for the uncomfortable symptoms of venous insufficiency. While some older procedures involve a painful technique called vein stripping that completely removes the insufficient vein from the leg, endovenous ablation offers a gentler alternative to surgery with equally effective results.

At the start of endovenous ablation appointments at Midcoast Cardiovascular, Dr. Ginkel performs venous ultrasound mapping to identify your problem veins and ensure accurate and precise treatment. Local anesthesia is then used to ensure you don’t feel a thing during your procedure. Once you have been numbed, Dr. Ginkel makes a small nick in your leg to allow for the insertion of a catheter.

After guiding the catheter into place, an RF electrode is placed within the vein to emit energy that heats the surrounding vein walls. The RF exposure causes the veins to shrink and collapse, leaving the body to naturally and safely absorb the treated vein and redirect blood flow. The whole procedure takes less than an hour and does not require any sutures.
Am I a Good Candidate for the Treatment?

Good candidates for endovenous ablation are patients interested in nonsurgical varicose vein treatment. If you suffer from venous insufficiency and are healthy enough to undergo a minimally invasive treatment, then you are likely a good candidate for endovenous ablation. Only an in-person evaluation by a qualified medical professional can determine candidacy for vein treatments, so be sure to schedule a consultation to determine if endovenous ablation is right for you.

Midcoast Cardiovascular Associates

At Midcoast Cardiovascular, Dr. Ginkel and our passionate staff of expert clinicians are committed to providing you with comfortable and effective heart-healthy treatments. To learn more about endovenous ablation and the benefits of nonsurgical vein treatment, schedule a consultation with Dr. Ginkel. Call us today at 805-354-0112 to book your appointment.

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