Vein Treatments

Radiofrequency ablation is a minimally invasive treatment of the saphenous veins. (Performed by a doctor. Heat is applied to the inside of the vein wall and causes tissue damage, making scar tissue form. This scar tissue closes the vein.) Radiofrequency energy (instead of laser energy) is used to heat up and damage the wall inside a vein in a very safe and controlled manner. The advantage of RFA over Laser is that the treatment has less variability, is less painful, and has less downtime. 

A doctor performs LASER ablation. Heat is applied to the vein wall using LASER energy and burns the inside of the veins causing endothelial damage and making scar tissue form. This scar tissue closes the vein. LASER energy (instead of Radiofrequency energy) is used to heat up and damage the wall inside a vein in a very safe and controlled manner. The advantage of LASER over radiofrequency is that you can treat smaller segments, such as neovascularization. 

Varithena is a procedure in which varicose and saphenous veins are injected with a microfoam that causes the treated veins to close. Varithena is minimally invasive; the patient's reported pain at the injection or application site in clinical trials was  less than 5.0%. With Varithena there is no need for surgery, incisions or stitches, and treatment is usually less than an hour. 

Ultrasound guided sclerotherapy is a chemical ablation. The sclerosant (Asclera) is mixed with room air to create a foam which displaces the blood. The foam, which is safe,  injected into the vein wall causing it to spasm and close.