21, 2, 2024

How does ClariVein® help with vein health?

2024-03-06T13:48:21-08:00

Exploring the Innovative ClariVein® Procedure: Benefits, Procedure Walkthrough, and More

For those grappling with backward blood flow or “reflux” in their saphenous vein(s), the ClariVein® procedure stands as a promising minimally invasive remedy. In this article, we’ll delve into the mechanics of this groundbreaking treatment and provide insights into what to anticipate on the day of the procedure. Discover how ClariVein® can help restore leg health and significantly improve your quality of life.

Understanding How the Treatment Functions

The ClariVein® procedure is designed to effectively address saphenous vein reflux. This minimally invasive approach takes less than an hour, allowing patients to resume their daily routines on the same day. But how does this innovative treatment function?

The process commences by numbing the skin with lidocaine. Once the skin is adequately anesthetized, a ClariVein® catheter is cautiously inserted into the affected vein. This catheter executes two crucial treatments:

Mechanical Treatment with a Delicate Rotating Wire: Featuring a small rotating wire, the ClariVein® catheter gently closes the problematic vein. This mechanical treatment is painless yet remarkably effective.

Chemical Treatment using Polidocanol: Alongside the mechanical treatment, the catheter administers polidocanol, a detergent-type sclerosant medication commonly employed in varicose vein treatments. This chemical treatment further contributes to the closure of the vein.

Surprisingly, this technique necessitates only one skin puncture, similar to the placement of an IV. It’s a minimally invasive approach designed to minimize discomfort for patients.

What to Expect on the Treatment Day

Now that you have a clearer understanding of how the ClariVein® procedure operates, let’s delve into what awaits you on the day of your treatment.

Local Anesthesia and Mild Oral Sedative: The procedure is conducted under local anesthesia. Many patients opt to take a mild oral sedative, like Valium, for added relaxation, typically after check-in and paperwork completion.

Comfortable Setup: Upon changing into a gown (leaving your underwear on), you’ll be positioned based on the specific vein to be treated—lying on your back or belly. Special accommodations are arranged for your comfort.

Entertainment Options: To help you relax, you’ll have access to entertainment like watching a movie on Netflix or listening to music during the procedure.

Ultrasound Mapping: Before the treatment begins, the doctor uses ultrasound to map the vein(s) requiring treatment.

Numbing and Puncture: The numbed area of the skin undergoes a tiny puncture to pass the ClariVein® catheter. Lidocaine is injected to ensure a painless process.

Treatment Process: Once the catheter and rotating wire are in place, the doctor initiates the treatment. You might feel a tickling or vibrating sensation, but pain should be minimal to nonexistent.

Compression Stocking: Following the procedure, you’ll be aided in wearing a compression stocking, to be worn continuously for 72 hours.

Post-Procedure Walk: Before departure, you’ll be encouraged to walk for 30 minutes to enhance circulation, further boosting the treatment’s effectiveness.

In Conclusion

The ClariVein® procedure presents a swift, minimally invasive remedy for saphenous vein reflux. By grasping the treatment’s mechanism and anticipating the procedure day, you can approach it confidently. Bid farewell to the discomfort of saphenous vein reflux and usher in a healthier, pain-free future with ClariVein®.

“Bringing Experts Together for Unparalleled Vein and Vascular Care”

La Jolla Vein & Vascular (formerly La Jolla Vein Care) is committed to bringing experts together for unparalleled vein and vascular care. 

Nisha Bunke, MD, Sarah Lucas, MD, and Amanda Steinberger, MD are specialists who combine their experience and expertise to offer world-class vascular care. 

Our accredited center is also a nationally known teaching site and center of excellence. 

For more information on treatments and to book a consultation, please give our office a call at 858-550-0330. 

 For a deeper dive into vein and vascular care, please check out our Youtube Channel at this link, and our website https://ljvascular.com

For more information on varicose veins and eliminating underlying venous insufficiency,

Please follow our social media Instagram Profile for more fun videos and educational information. 

For more blogs and educational content, please check out our clinic’s blog posts

How does ClariVein® help with vein health?2024-03-06T13:48:21-08:00

31, 10, 2023

Varicose Veins: Understanding, Preventing, and Treating the Unsightly Bulges

2023-09-29T22:36:33-07:00

Varicose Veins: Understanding, Preventing, and Treating the Unsightly Bulges

Varicose veins, those twisted and bulging veins beneath the skin’s surface, affect countless individuals, often causing discomfort and concern. In this informative blog post, we’ll delve into the intricacies of varicose veins and the underlying venous reflux disease. From understanding the causes to exploring symptoms and treatment options, let’s embark on a journey to vein health and relief.

Understanding Varicose Veins

Varicose veins, prominently visible on the skin’s surface, particularly in the legs, are swollen and twisted veins. While common, these veins can cause pain and aesthetic concerns, making proper understanding and treatment vital.

The Culprits: Causes of Varicose Veins

The root cause of varicose veins lies in leaky vein valves, which result in blood pooling within the veins. This pooling causes the veins to stretch and enlarge, leading to their characteristic appearance. Venous reflux disease, also known as venous stasis, venous insufficiency, or venous incompetence, is a common underlying condition contributing to varicose veins. This occurs when blood refluxes in the deep and/or superficial leg veins.

Research Insights

Dr. Nisha Bunke, leading our study published in the Journal of Vascular Ultrasound in 2018, examined over 1,000 legs with varicose veins. The study highlighted that a significant majority—over 90%—of varicose veins’ sources were the great and small saphenous veins. The Great Saphenous Vein (GSV) courses along the middle of the thigh and calf, while the small saphenous vein (SSV) travels along the back of the calf.

Unraveling Symptoms

Varicose veins and venous reflux disease present an array of symptoms, including aching, tenderness, heaviness, fatigue, restlessness in the legs, burning and throbbing pain, itching, leg cramps (especially at night), ankle swelling, skin discoloration, and even skin ulcers above the ankle. Ignored over time, complications can emerge, such as painful inflammation of the veins (superficial phlebitis), blood clots within varicose veins (superficial thrombophlebitis), and skin issues like discoloration, eczema, or ulcers.

The Power of Ultrasound Diagnosis

A cornerstone of effective diagnosis, duplex ultrasound technology is used to evaluate veins beneath the skin’s surface. This technology not only detects leaky valves and blood flow direction but also identifies blockages or scars within veins, providing essential information for devising a tailored treatment plan.

Customized Treatment Approach

A comprehensive approach to treating varicose veins involves multiple steps:

Step 1: Treating the Underlying Issue
The foundation of treatment lies in addressing venous reflux. This involves targeting the saphenous veins—typically the origin of the issue. Innovative vein ablation procedures like radiofrequency ablation (RFA), laser ablation, mechanico-chemical ablation (MOCA), and Varithena Foam are employed to restore proper blood flow.

Step 2: Addressing Varicose Veins
Following successful treatment of underlying reflux, the focus shifts to varicose veins. Foam sclerotherapy, where a foamed medication is injected to cause scarring and eventual dissolution, and phlebectomy, involving tiny incisions to remove the veins, are common methods.

Varicose veins and venous reflux disease impact countless lives, causing discomfort and concern. By understanding their causes, recognizing symptoms, and exploring innovative treatments, individuals can take charge of their vein health. At La Jolla Vein & Vascular, we’re dedicated to providing personalized care and effective solutions to alleviate symptoms and enhance quality of life. If you’re ready to embark on the journey to healthier veins, contact us today and take the first step towards lasting relief and wellness.

“Bringing Experts Together for Unparalleled Vein and Vascular Care”

La Jolla Vein & Vascular (formerly La Jolla Vein Care) is committed to bringing experts together for unparalleled vein and vascular care. 

Nisha Bunke, MD, Sarah Lucas, MD, and Amanda Steinberger, MD are specialists who combine their experience and expertise to offer world-class vascular care. 

Our accredited center is also a nationally known teaching site and center of excellence. 

For more information on treatments and to book a consultation, please give our office a call at 858-550-0330. 

 For a deeper dive into vein and vascular care, please check out our Youtube Channel at this link, and our website https://ljvascular.com

For more information on varicose veins and eliminating underlying venous insufficiency,

Please follow our social media Instagram Profile and Tik Tok Profile for more fun videos and educational information. 

For more blogs and educational content, please check out our clinic’s blog posts

Varicose Veins: Understanding, Preventing, and Treating the Unsightly Bulges2023-09-29T22:36:33-07:00

27, 6, 2023

Mechanical Chemical Ablation

2023-05-24T18:08:04-07:00

The ClariVein® procedure (mechanical chemical ablation)

for treatment of backwards flow (or “reflux”) in your saphenous vein(s). The great and small saphenous veins are the two main superficial veins of the leg. They run along the inner leg and the back of the leg, respectively.

This minimally invasive procedure can be performed in the office in less than an hour and patients return to their usual level of activity the same day.

HOW DOES THE TREATMENT WORK?

mechanical chemical ablation

The skin is numbed with lidocaine, then the ClariVein® catheter is placed into the unhealthy vein. The catheter closes the vein painlessly by delivering two treatments:

  1. Mechanical treatment with a tiny rotating wire.
  2. Chemical treatment with polidocanol. Polidocanol is a detergent-type sclerosant medication that is commonly used in varicose vein treatment.

WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT ON THE DAY OF TREATMENT for mechanical chemical ablation?

The procedure is performed with local anesthesia, but many patients elect to use a mild oral sedative (Valium), which is taken after checking in and completing all paperwork.  You will change into a gown and leave underwear on.  Depending on the vein to be treated, you will lay on your back or on your belly. We do our best to make special accommodations (for example, if you cannot lie flat or cannot bend a knee very well) with body positioning and using pillows. We will do our best to make you comfortable.  Then, we will give you the option of watching a movie on Netflix or listening to music.  Once you are comfortable, your leg (s) will be prepped with a cleansing solution for the sterile procedure.

The doctor will perform an ultrasound to map the vein (s) to be treated.  

Then, a numbing agent (lidocaine) will be injected into the skin. In the numb area of the skin, a tiny puncture is made to pass the Clarivein® catheter.  Once the catheter and rotating wire are in place, the doctor will start the treatment.  You may feel a tickling or vibrating sensation as she treats your vein.  You should have minimal to no pain during this procedure.

Once your vein has been treated, we will help you into your compression stocking, which you will wear for 72 hours continuously.  You will walk for 30 minutes prior to getting in your car.

“Bringing Experts Together for Unparalleled Vein and Vascular Care”

La Jolla Vein & Vascular (formerly La Jolla Vein Care) is committed to bringing experts together for unparalleled vein and vascular care. 

Nisha Bunke, MD, Sarah Lucas, MD, and Elliot DeYoung, MD are specialists who combine their experience and expertise to offer world-class vascular care. 

Our accredited center is also a nationally known teaching site and center of excellence. 

For more information on treatments and to book a consultation, please give our office a call at 858-550-0330. 

 For a deeper dive into vein and vascular care, please check out our Youtube Channel at this link, and our website https://ljvascular.com

For more information on varicose veins and eliminating underlying venous insufficiency,

Please follow our social media Instagram Profile and Tik Tok Profile for more fun videos and educational information. 

For more blogs and educational content, please check out our clinic’s blog posts!

Mechanical Chemical Ablation2023-05-24T18:08:04-07:00

23, 6, 2020

What Vein Treatment is Best for Me?

2020-09-17T21:14:21-07:00

Vein Treatments, what are my options?

In recent years, the expansion of different vein treatments has been readily available for patients. Depending on each patient’s vein condition, different treatment options may be recommended. Unlike in the past where vein stripping surgery was the only option, there are now multiple minimally invasive vein procedures that are not only fast but minimally invasive and very effective. For patients who have underlying saphenous vein insufficiency, treatment options include: Radio-Frequency Ablation (RF or RFA), Endovenous Laser Therapy (EVLT), Clarivein® (Endovenous Mechanical Ablation), Varithena Microfoam and also the most recent treatment to obtain FDA approval for the indication of venous reflux disease, called Venaseal (vein glue). For patients who also have bulging varicose veins, treatment options may include, Microphlebectomy (Ambulatory Phlebectomy) or foam sclerotherapy. But, how does one know which treatment is right for them? With an ultrasound and consultation with a board certified vein specialist, a specific treatment or treatment plan may be recommended based on what would be best for the patient and their needs.  Learn more about our approach to treatment, and the treatment options

What Vein Treatment is Best for Me?2020-09-17T21:14:21-07:00
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