"Happy Veins Make Happy Hearts"
 
Premier Vein Care successfully marries the concept of small town care and high tech health care in this practice where “ahead of the curve” meets style, sophistication, and service. Dr. Kenneth Stevens and his staff pride themselves on a comprehensive and holistic approach to providing the latest in medical technology to care for the unique inter-relationship between coronary, arterial, and venous disease. A full service vein center, Premier Vein Care is an extension and compliment to Premier Heart Care, which provides full service cardiac care.

Premier Vein Care features the most innovative and advanced equipment on the Central Coast. In addition to providing full service cardiovascular care, Premier Vein Care offers VNUS ClosureFAST Radiofrequency Ablation and sclerotherapy to patients suffering from venous insufficiency, varicose veins and spider veins. The in office ultrasound lab used to evaluate patients has been certified for quality by the American College of Radiology as well. 

Dr. Stevens' practice is located on the Central Coast in San Luis Obispo and provides radiofrequency ablation as an in-office service to those in the region suffering from varicose and spider vein issues. Radiofrequency Vein Ablation is a same-day treatment that is virtually painless, treats the underlying pathology, minimally invasive, and gets you right back on your feet better than ever. Dr Stevens has been involved with teaching other physicians about phlebology and the VNUS procedure. In less than two years he  has developed a high quality practice with patients travelling from as far away as Monterey, Bakersfield, Santa Barbara, Santa Maria and Los Angeles suburbs, as well as locally for care. 

***As a "Featured Doctor" Dr. Stevens was recently interviewed by Vein Magazine, which can be seen here. ***

Dr. Ken Stevens

Dr. Ken Stevens is board certified in phlebology, cardiovascular diseases and internal medicine. He is a Fellow in the American College of Cardiology, American College of Physicians, and the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions. He is also a member of the American College of Phlebology and a Diplomat of the American Board of Phlebology. He also holds RPhS certification as a Registered Phlebology Sonographer. His educational background includes a BA degree from Colgate University, and MS degrees from both Georgetown University and University of Wisconsin/ Madison. His MD Degree is from Loyola Univeristy of Chicago. Medical training included internship and residency at Jackson Memorial Hospital/University of Miami, cardiology fellowship at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, and an interventional cardiology fellowship at University Hospital/SUNY Stony Brook.

Previously, for 15 years, he had lived in Rockford, Illinois where he has served in a variety of positions: Managing Physician for Rockford Cardiology Associates, Chairman of the OSF/St Anthony Regional Heart Institute and Department of Medicine, and Medical Director of the Chest Pain Center. Lastly, he has worked as a Team Physician for the US Olympic Team and US Maccabiah team. For the last 4 years, he has lived in San Luis Obispo, California developing his new practice and serving as medical director of cardiology at Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center.

Venous Duplex Scanning

A venous duplex scan uses sound waves to assess the function of the veins. This exam assess all of the veins in the leg, both superficial and deep, from the groin to the ankle. During the exam, both legs will be examined. The test also helps to detect a blockage in blood flow (such as a blood clot) that may cause pain or swelling in the legs. The test measures any venous reflux that may occur, and helps generate a treatment roadmap.

VNUS Closure Fast (RFA)

The VNUS Closure Fast procedure is a minimally invasive treatment alternative with less pain and less bruising when compared to traditional vein stripping surgery and laser treatment. Using the Closure Fast system, Dr Stevens closes the diseased veins by inserting the Closure Fast catheter into a vein and heating the vein wall using temperature-controlled radiofrequency energy. Heating the vein wall causes collagen in the wall to shrink and the vein to close. After the vein is sealed shut, blood then naturally reroutes to healthy veins. Radiofrequncy ablation has been utilized for over ten years, in over 500,000 patients, with success rates greater than 90%.

Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy involves the direct injection of an FDA approved sclerosing agent into the varicose vein using either a very fine needle or catheter. This chemical solution irritates the vein tissue, and causes the vein to close.