Vein related exams and treatments

AMBULATORY PHLEBECTOMY: Ambulatory Phlebectomy is a minor outpatient procedure in which an abnormal varicose vein is removed through a tiny incision in the skin. This is performed using a local anesthetic.

CT (CAT SCAN): Our state of the art Siemens 40 slice high speed Cat Scan (CT)can often provide important information about your veins and their relationship to other structures and organs.

CENTRAL LINES/ACCESS: Central Lines are inserted to give medications and draw blood. Interventional Radiologists are ideally trained for Central Line Access using imaging tools such as Ultrasound and Xray (Flouroscopy).

DIALYSIS ACCESS: Dialysis Access often requires placement of a specialized central vein line as well as maintenance of a surgically created connection between an artery and a vein. The Interventional Radiologists at Virginia Vein Specialists have performed thouands of these procedures.

FILTER PLACEMENT: Filters are placed into the Inferior Vena Cava within the abdomen to prevent deep leg vein clots from travelling to the lungs. Certain filters can now be removed after they are no longer needed.

EMBOLIZATION: Catheter directed delivery of specific agents into a blood vessel to block the flow or back flow to a problem area.

ENDOVENOUS LASER ABLATION: Endovenous ablation is used to treat varicose veins. It is a minimally
invasive and relatively pain free procedure performed under local anaesthesia. It leaves no scarring and has a short post- procedure recovery period. Due to the high success rate and low risk and discomfort of Endovenous Ablation, this has largely replaced vein stripping.

INTERVENTIONAL RADIOLOGIST: "Interventional Radiologists are Board Certified Physicians who specialize in miminally invasive, targeted treatments performed using imaging for guidance. Their procedures have less risk, less pain, and less recovery time compared to open surgery". (Society of Interventional Radiology Source Book)

LASER: A device which emits a specific wavelength of high energy pulsed light that can close abnormal veins.

LOWER EXTREMITY ULTRASOUND: Ultrasound is used for diagnosis and treatment planning. It is a non-invasive, painless, and excellent tool for assesing the vein size, function, and anatomy. Ultrasound is also used to guide Endovenous Ablation and specific forms of Sclerotherapy. Ultrasound will also be used for follow-up to evaluate the success of your treatment.

MRV: MRV utilizes the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine to non-invasively evaluate the veins througout the body. This may be the best non-invasive way of diagnosis Pelvic Congestion Syndrome.

PELVIC CONGESTION SYNDROME: Pelvic Congestion Syndrome is caused by varicose veins in the pelvis as a result of incompetent ovarian veins. Symptoms of PCS include dull, aching, chronic pain. The pain often increases following intercourse, during menstrual periods, when tired or when standing (worse at the end of the day), and pregnancey. Pelvic Vein Congestion can be treated by Ovarian Vein Embolization. Up to 15% of women, between the ages of 20 and 50, have varicose veins in the pelvis, although not all experience sypmtoms.

PICC LINES: A Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) is a line that is inserted into an arm vein for intravenous access and can be used for a prolonged period of time.

PORT: An implanted device which contains a reservoir and attached catheter which is similar to a PICC line.

SCLEROTHERAPY: Sclerotherapy is a popular medical technique. A tiny needle injects the vein with a medication that irritates the lining of the vein. In response to the irritation, the vein closes and is reabsorbed. The blood from the closed vein is routed to properly working veins, restoring correct circulation. This procedure is generally 85% effective and requires sequential treatments for maximum benefit.

THROMBOLYIS: Thrombolysis dissolves blood clots by either injecting clot-busting drugs at the site of the clot, or by using a specific mechanical device to break up the clots.

TIPS: A life-saving procedure which reroutes blood through the liver.

ULTRASOUND GUIDED SCLEROTHERAPY: Ultrasound guided sclerotherapy is used to treat veins which are problematic but cannot be seen on or under the skin.

VARICOCELE: Abnormal veins in the scrotum which can cause male infertility and pain.

VARICOSE VEINS: Swollen or stretched veins which protrude in a rope-like manner beneath the skin. These are often associated with pain, bleeding, and skin discoloration or ulceration.

NO SURGERY, NO DOWNTIME, NO VARICOSE VEINS!