Would foam sclerotheraphy work if I'm taking warfarin?

My doctor says it's okay but I thought veins had to clot in order for the sclerotheraphy to be successful.

Answers from doctors (10)


Vein Specialists

Published on Aug 29, 2012

Coumadin should be discontinued before procedures such as closure or
injection sclerotherapy. Sclerotherapy is essentially "scar therapy" and
achieves closure of the small veins by injuring the wall of the vein
chemically. If the patient cannot be taken off Coumadin due to a mechanical
heart valve then sclerotherapy can still performed but the chances of
failure are higher. Whether one mixes the sclerosant with a gas (foam) the
idea is that it will have more circumferential contact with the vein wall
and result in a more effective closure of the vein.

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Answered by Vein Specialists

Coumadin should be discontinued before procedures such as closure or
injection sclerotherapy. Sclerotherapy is essentially "scar therapy" and
achieves closure of the small veins by injuring the wall of the vein
chemically. If the patient cannot be taken off Coumadin due to a mechanical
heart valve then sclerotherapy can still performed but the chances of
failure are higher. Whether one mixes the sclerosant with a gas (foam) the
idea is that it will have more circumferential contact with the vein wall
and result in a more effective closure of the vein.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Center of Orange County

Published on Aug 11, 2012

Sclerotherapy with either straight solution or foam is unaffected by blood thinners. Blood clots that form after sclerotherapy can recanalize (open up) and often spell failure; vein closure is the goal of sclerotherapy, not clots.

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Answered by Vein Center of Orange County

Sclerotherapy with either straight solution or foam is unaffected by blood thinners. Blood clots that form after sclerotherapy can recanalize (open up) and often spell failure; vein closure is the goal of sclerotherapy, not clots.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Intermountain Vein Center

Published on Aug 07, 2012

Yes, the sclerotherapy does make the veins clot, but it is a powerful drug and will override the warfarin in this case and the treatment will work just fine. It might take 2-3 sets of injections to make sure the veins are closed off completely, but this is normal even for those who are not on blood thinners. If the doctor said to keep taking the warfarin, it is important to do so.

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Answered by Intermountain Vein Center

Yes, the sclerotherapy does make the veins clot, but it is a powerful drug and will override the warfarin in this case and the treatment will work just fine. It might take 2-3 sets of injections to make sure the veins are closed off completely, but this is normal even for those who are not on blood thinners. If the doctor said to keep taking the warfarin, it is important to do so.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Clinic of North Carolina

Published on Jul 30, 2012

We treat many patients who are on Warfarin. The blood does clot as needed during sclerotherapy if the PT INR are within a range of 2-3 pending while the person is on Warfarin.

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Answered by Vein Clinic of North Carolina

We treat many patients who are on Warfarin. The blood does clot as needed during sclerotherapy if the PT INR are within a range of 2-3 pending while the person is on Warfarin.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Smith Vein Institute, LLC

Published on Jul 27, 2012

Yes it works. As a cardiologist and phlebologist I treat patients taking warfarin all the time. I actually prefer it as there is less risk of DVT. In my experience, the results are about the same, although I use a higher concentration of sclerosant when the patient is on warfarin.

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Answered by Smith Vein Institute, LLC

Yes it works. As a cardiologist and phlebologist I treat patients taking warfarin all the time. I actually prefer it as there is less risk of DVT. In my experience, the results are about the same, although I use a higher concentration of sclerosant when the patient is on warfarin.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Published on Jul 27, 2012

Foam sclerotherapy will work while on coumadin (warfarin). Foam works by pushing the blood out of the veins and irritating the vein walls causing them to stick together to occlude. Certainly, larger veins such as the saphenous would have more of a problem closing while on coumadin then the smaller veins.

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Answered by Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Foam sclerotherapy will work while on coumadin (warfarin). Foam works by pushing the blood out of the veins and irritating the vein walls causing them to stick together to occlude. Certainly, larger veins such as the saphenous would have more of a problem closing while on coumadin then the smaller veins.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Advanced Vein Center

Published on Jul 26, 2012

Sclerotherapy does not clot veins. It creates an inflammatory reaction leading to fibrosis. Therefore sclerotherapy does work in patients on warfarin.

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Answered by Advanced Vein Center

Sclerotherapy does not clot veins. It creates an inflammatory reaction leading to fibrosis. Therefore sclerotherapy does work in patients on warfarin.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Pacific Vein Centers

Published on Jul 26, 2012

Foam should work on or off coumadin
Foam works by damaging the inner wall of the vein.

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Answered by Pacific Vein Centers

Foam should work on or off coumadin
Foam works by damaging the inner wall of the vein.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Heart and Vein Center

Published on Jul 26, 2012

The foam sclerotherapy will still be effective even in the presence of warfarin. The mechanism by which this drug works is not affected by warfarin.


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Answered by Heart and Vein Center

The foam sclerotherapy will still be effective even in the presence of warfarin. The mechanism by which this drug works is not affected by warfarin.


Published on Jul 11, 2012


Advanced Vein & Laser Centre, Ltd.

Published on Jul 26, 2012

Yes, it will work. This is an excellent question and I encourage you to
speak directly with your treating physician.

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Answered by Advanced Vein & Laser Centre, Ltd.

Yes, it will work. This is an excellent question and I encourage you to
speak directly with your treating physician.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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