Board Certified Cardiologist & Cardiovascular Physician located in Princeton, NJ & Hamilton Square, NJ
Whether you’ve had it with the appearance of ugly varicose veins or you need relief from the pain they cause, vein ablation safely and effectively eliminates the problem. At NJ Heart & Vascular Care in Princeton and Hamilton, New Jersey, Kintur Sanghvi, MD, FACC, FSCAI, often uses advanced vein ablation, producing exceptional results without downtime. If you have questions about treating varicose veins or leg pain, call or schedule an appointment online today.
Vein Ablation Q & A
What is vein ablation?
Vein ablation, also called endovenous ablation, is a minimally invasive procedure to eliminate varicose veins and treat venous insufficiency.
Endovenous procedures are done using a narrow catheter inserted into your vein.
What causes venous insufficiency and varicose veins?
The veins in your legs have one-way valves that keep blood flowing in one direction: up the legs and toward your heart. When a valve fails, blood goes backward or refluxes. This condition is called venous insufficiency.
As the refluxing blood goes back down the vein, it reaches the next healthy valve. Then blood accumulates in the vein, resulting in enlarged, twisted, bulging, and very visible varicose veins.
When would I need vein ablation?
Many people choose to have vein ablation to improve their appearance or to end their symptoms. But varicose veins also signal the presence of venous insufficiency, which can cause complications.
You may need vein ablation when your varicose veins cause:
Painful legs (aching, throbbing, cramping, and/or burning)
Swollen legs
Heavy-feeling legs
Tired legs
Restless legs
Itchy legs
Untreated venous insufficiency causes high blood pressure in your lower leg. High venous pressure in turn leads to problems in your lower leg.
You may develop an eczema-like skin rash, reddish-brown and thickened skin, or an open wound called a venous stasis ulcer. Stasis ulcers put you at risk for skin or bone infection.
How does vein ablation work?
Dr. Sanghvi performs endovenous ablation using a catheter that’s equipped with either a laser fiber or a radiofrequency electrode.
Both treatments send out heat that closes the vein walls. After the walls collapse, your body gradually eliminates the treated tissues. As a result, your varicose veins disappear.
Your body naturally reroutes the flow of blood through nearby veins that are healthy. In addition to restoring normal circulation, this treats venous insufficiency.
What happens during vein ablation?
Dr. Sanghvi uses ultrasound imaging to see your veins and guide the catheter. After applying an anesthetic, he makes a small cut in a vein in your foot or groin.
Dr. Sanghvi inserts the catheter through the cut and guides it to the end of the varicose vein. Then he slowly withdraws the catheter, sending out laser or radiofrequency energy.
Vein ablation may take up to an hour. Afterward, you wear compression stockings and need to avoid prolonged sitting and strenuous activities for a short time. Otherwise, you can get back to your normal routine.
If you want to eliminate varicose veins, call NJ Heart & Vascular Care or schedule an appointment online today.
