"The Know" is an informational resource concerning vein treatment options. It contains valuable information for prospective patients, physicians as well as those in the vein treatment industry. We will be regularly posting educational articles, video logs and other pertinent information. We encourage your feedback and welcome any suggestions that you feel may improve the blog.
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Thursday, April 30, 2009
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Minimally Invasive Procedures Set to Expand Globally
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The United States and other western counterparts have been very successful
in implementing minimally invasive varicose vein removal procedures. From
laser treatments to radiofrequency occlusion, the market has significantly
expanded over the years. However, some are saying that the industry is
likely to grow in areas that require less-costly and time consuming
treatments like in Brazil.
PR News Wire discussed the possible increase, "The varicose vein treatment
device market in the country, widely considered to be one of the most
aesthetically-conscious in the world, is limited primarily by the Brazilian
universal public health system, which provides reimbursement for surgical
vein removal (stripping) procedures but not for more advanced, minimally
invasive procedures such as endovenous ablation and sclerotherapy. As a
result, patients must pay for these treatments out-of-pocket. Nevertheless,
procedure volumes for these minimally invasive alternatives will increase by
approximately 10% annually from 2009 to 2013 due to growing patient demand
for the superior cosmetic results and reduced postoperative pain associated
with these therapies."
Surgical stripping has long been considered the go-to for venous disease
treatment in many parts of the world. However, as people become more
aesthetically driven and the tools and techniques become readily available
in less privileged countries, it may boom as it did in the US.
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Tuesday, April 07, 2009
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Venous Disease Positive Findings
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Over the last few weeks there have been a flurry of headlines in the news and medical journals about progress in venous disease and vein health. From vascular surgeons highlighting the new found importance of Statin a cholesterol drug that may aid in reducing the instances of Deep Vein Thrombosis cases (DVT). Or whether it is talks about DVT awareness month, venous disease is making headlines and drawing the attention of some head hanchos.
Whether you prefer yoga as your form of prevention or you would like to investigate the various removal methods (radiofrequency occlusion, stripping or laser etc.) there is a lot of infeormation out in the market at the moment about venous disease.
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Wednesday, January 21, 2009
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Injections for Varicose Veins
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The Guardian has released has a number of articles about varicose vein treatments, symptoms, and available procedures. One of which caught my attention this morning - injections as a treatment for varicose veins. Typically radiofrequency occlusion and laser treatment are some the more commonly used procedures to get rid for varicose veins, however with treatments like injections - time and money may be able to be saved. The Guardian highlighted the pros and cons in their article.
"Injections for varicose veins use chemicals to make the vein walls swell, so the vein is blocked. This stops blood flowing back into the vein. The vein eventually turns into scar tissue.Before you have injections for varicose veins, your doctor will probably do tests to pinpoint where the problems are in your veins. Tests can help find any leaky valves that are allowing blood to flow backwards and pool in your veins."
The perks of injections are that recovery time is much shorter than invasive stripping methods and likewise complications are said to be lesser than in invasive techniques. Though these are preliminary findings physicians in the UK are confident they are making progress.
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Wednesday, January 07, 2009
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Radiofrequency Occlusion Gaining Popularity
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We all know varicose veins are unsightly and rather painful, but rather than using the old fashioned stripping techniques for removal, radio frequency occlusion has received much positive notoriety and popularity in recent months. Traditional methods are cumbersome and painful leaving marks and scars on the legs, however radio frequency occlusion is far less invasive. The procedure uses a small catheter into the vein and radio frequency waves are used to shut and close the veins fast. The process takes a mere few minutes, as opposed to large incisions in the ankles and stripping that is involved in the other methods.
The Baltimore Examiner highlighted a piece on such minimally invasive techniques and said, "The field of minimally invasive techniques to fix varicose veins has emerged in the past four years as technology has improved, said Dr. Sanjiv Lakhanpal, a cardiovascular surgeon at the Center for Vein Restoration, which has eight offices in Maryland. Lakhanpal's office uses radio frequency or laser treatments on the veins, depending on vein size and location. Vein stripping is effective, he said, but it's like "hitting a mosquito with a sledge hammer."
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Thursday, November 06, 2008
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Healthcare and Vein-care
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Don't let the financial crunch effect your decision to remove ropy unattractive varicose veins. The economy may be on a downturn, but some more cost-efficient removal procedures do still exist. If you're looking to save some pennies when choosing the removal treatment best suited for you, follow some of the tips outlined below.
Endovenous Laser Treatment is covered and reimbursed by insurance companies and Medicare. So EVLT is often the best route for patients seeking insurance help. However, procedures like scelerotherapy are considered cosmetic treatments and are not covered by healthcare. Other financially viable options are VNUS Closure Fast and Radiofrequency Occlusion. The VNUS treatment runs around $2-500 dollars per leg while Radiofrequency, if done on a patient with varicose symptoms, is fully or partially covered by insurance.
So if you're looking to pinch some pennies, but still get rid of unsightly veins the aforementioned money-saving techniques may be an ideal avenue.
Photolink
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Tuesday, October 24, 2006
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What are some treatment options?
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There are seven major forms of treatment for varicose veins and spider veins.
1. Support Stockings. What our grandmother's did- it is the most conservative approach, especially when the veins cause painful or uncomfortable symptoms.
2. Lifestyle changes. Nothing is better received than good skin hygiene, losign some weight and walking regularly can help treat varicose veins and spider veins.
3. Sclerotherapy. This procedure, which has been available since the 1930s, is another treatment option. This procedure uses a highly concentrated saline (salt) solution or a specially made detergent that is injected directly into the vein, causing the vein to disappear gradually over 3 to 6 weeks. The procedure is simple, relatively inexpensive and can be performed in an outpatient setting.
4. Endovenous Laser Treatment is a procedure in which a small laser fiber is inserted into the vein. Pulses of laser light are delivered inside the vein, which causes the vein to collapse. The procedure is done as an outpatient under local anesthesia.
5. Radiofrequency Occlusion. A small catheter is inserted into the vein that delivers radiofrequency energy to the vein wall, causing it to heat, collapse and seal shut. The procedure is generally done in an outpatient or in-office setting and may be done under local anesthesia.
6. Surgery. Surgical techniques to treat varicose veins include ligation (tying off of the vein) and stripping (removal of the long segment of vein). Another procedure, ambulatory phlebectomy, allows for the removal of large surface veins through very small incisions that do not need stitches. Surgery may be performed using local, spinal or general anesthesia. Most patients return home the same day as the procedure. Surgery is generally used to treat large varicose veins.
7. Lasers and Intense Pulsed Light. Surface laser or intense pulsed light treatments, such as Vasculight and PhotoDerm, are other options. These devices use heat energy to selectively damage or destroy abnormal veins. An advantage of these treatments is that no needles or sclerosing solutions are needed, but there may be some minor discomfort. Side effects do occur, including discoloration or staining and blister formation.
Not all patients need treatment for their varicose veins or spider veins. Many people have no pain or other symptoms. For these individuals, no treatment is necessary, unless they want the veins removed for cosmetic reasons.
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