Someone told me EVLT would disable access to the heart if ever in later in life you needed a heart surgery. Is this true?

Someone I know has the same problem with bi-lateral veins and was considering EVLT procedure. She went to see her family doctor and was told these procedures are not done anymore because if you have a heart problems later in life for whatever reason, the surgeon couldn't use the veins to get to the heart. Sounds far-fetched to me, but that is what her doctor said.

Answers from doctors (12)


Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Published on May 04, 2015

Closure procedure of the veins will not allow the veins to be used for a possible heart bypass later. However, there are other veins that can be used such as arm veins, and there are also arteries that can be used such as the internal mammary and radial. Also, stents are being used more and more.

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Answered by Vanish Vein and Laser Center

Closure procedure of the veins will not allow the veins to be used for a possible heart bypass later. However, there are other veins that can be used such as arm veins, and there are also arteries that can be used such as the internal mammary and radial. Also, stents are being used more and more.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Advanced Vein Center

Published on Apr 08, 2015

Her doctor is wrong. You don't use veins to get to the heart. You use veins to bypass blocked arteries in the heart. That said, varicose veins would be useless to use and angioplasty with stents is far more common today to treat coronary artery disease.

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Answered by Advanced Vein Center

Her doctor is wrong. You don't use veins to get to the heart. You use veins to bypass blocked arteries in the heart. That said, varicose veins would be useless to use and angioplasty with stents is far more common today to treat coronary artery disease.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vascular Center and Vein Clinic of Southern Indiana

Published on Apr 07, 2015

People with chronic venous insufficiency have abnormal and dysfunctional vein valves. EVLT is performed to help mitigate the symptoms. The abnormal vein is typically not an acceptable conduit for a bypass procedure.

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Answered by Vascular Center and Vein Clinic of Southern Indiana

People with chronic venous insufficiency have abnormal and dysfunctional vein valves. EVLT is performed to help mitigate the symptoms. The abnormal vein is typically not an acceptable conduit for a bypass procedure.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Intermountain Vein Center

Published on Apr 07, 2015

Saphenous veins can be used for bypass surgery but the internal mammary arteries are more commonly used. Also, the saphenous veins would not be candidates if vein disease is present.

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Answered by Intermountain Vein Center

Saphenous veins can be used for bypass surgery but the internal mammary arteries are more commonly used. Also, the saphenous veins would not be candidates if vein disease is present.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


NE Laser Vein Institute LLC

Published on Apr 06, 2015

Doctors sometimes will warn a patient of that. There are other arteries in the body that can be used for a bypass, if and when necessary.

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Answered by NE Laser Vein Institute LLC

Doctors sometimes will warn a patient of that. There are other arteries in the body that can be used for a bypass, if and when necessary.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Specialties of St. Louis

Published on Apr 06, 2015

If heart surgery or testing is to be performed through the groin, it is done through the arteries, not the veins. Any harvesting of veins for bypass surgery would not use malfunctioning veins, but use arteries (internal mammary, etc) due to longevity.

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Answered by Vein Specialties of St. Louis

If heart surgery or testing is to be performed through the groin, it is done through the arteries, not the veins. Any harvesting of veins for bypass surgery would not use malfunctioning veins, but use arteries (internal mammary, etc) due to longevity.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Cosmetic Vein Centers of Texas

Published on Apr 06, 2015

The saphenous vein is not used for access to the heart. Only a normal non-dilated saphenous vein (which yours shouldn't be) can be used for a heart bypass, if needed.

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Answered by Cosmetic Vein Centers of Texas

The saphenous vein is not used for access to the heart. Only a normal non-dilated saphenous vein (which yours shouldn't be) can be used for a heart bypass, if needed.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Specialists of Arizona

Published on Apr 06, 2015

I am a cardiovascular surgeon and now my entire practice is phlebology. We all have many veins in our legs and the veins that we treat are large, usually varicosed and are not ideal for bypass surgery. In addition, the internal mammary artery (we all have 2) is always used as well as the artery from our arms and other veins in our legs. If we leave these abnormal veins in our legs untreated, it can lead to more serious problems such as bleeding, blood clot, skin changes and ulcers.

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Answered by Vein Specialists of Arizona

I am a cardiovascular surgeon and now my entire practice is phlebology. We all have many veins in our legs and the veins that we treat are large, usually varicosed and are not ideal for bypass surgery. In addition, the internal mammary artery (we all have 2) is always used as well as the artery from our arms and other veins in our legs. If we leave these abnormal veins in our legs untreated, it can lead to more serious problems such as bleeding, blood clot, skin changes and ulcers.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Lubbock Vein Specialists

Published on Apr 06, 2015

Your "friend" is wrong. EVLT is done all the time. Also, heart surgeons rarely use veins for bypass grafting. They prefer to use the arteries behind the breast bone. If for some reason the heart surgeon needs to use the veins in the legs, and the veins are dilated, they can't be used anyway.

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Answered by Lubbock Vein Specialists

Your "friend" is wrong. EVLT is done all the time. Also, heart surgeons rarely use veins for bypass grafting. They prefer to use the arteries behind the breast bone. If for some reason the heart surgeon needs to use the veins in the legs, and the veins are dilated, they can't be used anyway.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


The Sheen Vein Institute

Published on Apr 06, 2015

That is just one of many misconceptions physicians have regarding vein treatments. The truth is that these veins that are dysfunctional in the leg, are not the type of vessels that you would want to use in a bypass surgery. They are typically dilated and no longer healthy. Good heart surgeons would not use them anyway. There are other vessels they would prefer. So the EVLT procedure is still done and is actually the preferred treatment option.

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Answered by The Sheen Vein Institute

That is just one of many misconceptions physicians have regarding vein treatments. The truth is that these veins that are dysfunctional in the leg, are not the type of vessels that you would want to use in a bypass surgery. They are typically dilated and no longer healthy. Good heart surgeons would not use them anyway. There are other vessels they would prefer. So the EVLT procedure is still done and is actually the preferred treatment option.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


YOURVEINS

Published on Apr 06, 2015

Only if you have active coronary artery disease or a family history of premature heart disease you should be concerned. Most heart bypasses can be performed by using the internal mammary or radial artery, also coronary stents are a good choice if needed. Severe venous insufficiency should be treated by venous ablations as indicated and remains the gold standard.

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Answered by YOURVEINS

Only if you have active coronary artery disease or a family history of premature heart disease you should be concerned. Most heart bypasses can be performed by using the internal mammary or radial artery, also coronary stents are a good choice if needed. Severe venous insufficiency should be treated by venous ablations as indicated and remains the gold standard.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Bella MD Laser Vein and Aesthetic Center

Published on Apr 06, 2015

This is not true.

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Answered by Bella MD Laser Vein and Aesthetic Center

This is not true.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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