Now Offering Treatment of Varicose Veins

The Cardiovascular Institute is pleased to announce a new treatment program available in our main office for select patients with varicose veins. Dr. Amir Haghighat and Dr. Samir Patel are now using endovenous laser therapy, a minimally invasive alternative to traditional vein stripping, to treat these problem veins in our office allowing patients to return to normal activities the same day.

Varicose veins affect 15-25% of adults in the U.S. and about 50% of people over the age of 50. Common symptoms of varicose veins include aching pain, leg fatigue, and swelling. If left untreated, varicose veins can cause ulcerations which can be very difficult to treat. However, endovenous laser therapy, a relatively new treatment technology, can be performed with local anesthesia in less than an hour.

The procedure involves the insertion of an ultrasound-guided laser fiber directly into the problem vein. Laser energy heats the vein from within, causing it to shrink, collapse, and seal shut. Patients experience only minimal discomfort and are able to walk immediately following the procedure.

According to medical research, endovenous laser therapy is well-tolerated by patients with a 94.5% successful clinical outcome rate at five years following the procedure. While our office does not offer cosmetic vein procedures at this time, improved appearance of the leg is an additional positive outcome in patients with varicose veins.

“As a group of cardiologists who treat vascular disease throughout the body, adding endovenous laser therapy was the next logical step,” says Dr. Patel. “Since this condition impacts so many of our patients, we wanted to be able to provide a quick and relatively painless treatment option.”

 

Do You Have Varicose Veins?

If you are experiencing any of the following in your legs or ankles, talk with your cardiologist to see if you might be a candidate:

• Rope-like bulging just beneath the skin

• Swelling, itching or burning

• Pain and leg tiredness

• Throbbing or cramping at night

• A rash or sore

• Skin discoloration

• Restless leg syndrome