26, 9, 2023

Precise Relief: Exploring Radiofrequency Perforator Ablation for vascular wellness

2023-08-31T18:32:31-07:00

Precise Relief: Exploring Radiofrequency Perforator Ablation for vascular wellness

In the realm of advanced vascular treatments, Radiofrequency Perforator Ablation is revolutionizing the way we address vein issues. In this article, we delve into the intricacies of this procedure, exploring its benefits, the process it involves, and what you can anticipate on the day of treatment. Join us on a journey to understand how Radiofrequency Perforator Ablation can enhance your vascular well-being.

Understanding Radiofrequency Perforator Ablation: A Breakdown

Radiofrequency Perforator Ablation focuses on perforator veins, the short connections bridging deep and superficial veins. These veins, like others, can experience valve damage and venous reflux, contributing to discomfort and potential health risks. This innovative procedure aims to rectify these issues, offering relief and improved vascular health.

Why Perforator Veins Matter

Perforator veins are pivotal in linking the superficial and deep venous systems within the extremities. They facilitate the flow of blood from superficial veins to deep veins, aiding in the process of returning oxygen-depleted blood to the heart. However, when the valves in these veins malfunction, venous reflux can occur. This may lead to blood buildup, increased pressure, and complications such as edema, skin discoloration, dermatitis, and skin ulcers.

The Treatment Process: Unveiling the Steps

Radiofrequency Perforator Ablation is a well-structured outpatient procedure, designed to swiftly address these issues. Here’s a closer look at the treatment process:

  • Preparation and Anesthesia: The procedure commences with the application of local anesthesia. Some patients opt for mild oral sedatives like Valium for enhanced relaxation.
  • Patient Comfort: You’ll be provided with a gown or shorts and positioned for comfort, with special accommodations made based on your needs.
  • Guidance and Insertion: Using ultrasound guidance, a fine needle is inserted into the perforating vein through the skin.
  • Radiofrequency Energy: The magic happens with the delivery of radiofrequency energy, which shrinks the perforator vein and eliminates abnormal flow.
  • Treatment Duration: Approximately 10 minutes are allotted for each perforating vein. Patients may have one or multiple veins treated in the same leg, requiring about an hour in the office due to preparation and setup.

A Day of Treatment: What to Expect

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On the day of your procedure, a few steps ensure your comfort and well-being:

  • Anesthesia and Sedation: Local anesthesia is applied. Some opt for mild sedation to enhance relaxation.
  • Positioning: Special accommodations are made based on your comfort level, and you’re given the choice to watch Netflix or listen to music.
  • Ultrasound Mapping: Your veins are mapped, and numbing agents are injected.
  • Radiofrequency Catheter: A tiny puncture is made to insert the radiofrequency catheter.
  • Local Anesthetic: Additional local anesthetic is administered, numbing the vein and ensuring comfort.
  • Radiofrequency Treatment: The vein is painlessly treated with radiofrequency energy.
  • Post-Treatment Care: A compression stocking is applied, and walking is encouraged for the next 72 hours.

Post-Treatment Care: Guiding Your Recovery

After treatment, walking for 30 minutes twice daily is recommended to alleviate discomfort and prevent blood pooling in the legs. Avoid strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, saunas, hot tubs, and leg massages for two weeks to support proper healing.

Radiofrequency Perforator Ablation is a modern marvel in vascular care, offering relief from discomfort and enhancing overall well-being. At La Jolla Vein & Vascular, our expert medical professionals are dedicated to providing personalized care for your vascular health. By embracing innovative treatments like Radiofrequency Perforator Ablation, you can take confident strides towards a healthier, more vibrant life.

“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

Precise Relief: Exploring Radiofrequency Perforator Ablation for vascular wellness2023-08-31T18:32:31-07:00

28, 8, 2023

RFA for perforator vein reflux

2023-05-24T16:56:04-07:00

Radiofrequency perforator ablation (RFA) is performed on perforator veins, short connections between your deep and superficial veins. Perforator veins can suffer the same sort of valve damage and retrograde blood flow (venous reflux) as other veins. Most patients with vein disease who experience skin changes, (that also may result in leg ulcers if left untreated) have reflux in perforator veins near their ulcers, as well as in the superficial or deep veins.

RFA

What are Perforator Veins?

Perforator veins serve as connections between the two networks of veins in the extremities, the superficial venous system and the deep venous system. Perforators connect the two parallel systems, and normally drain blood from the superficial veins to the deep veins as part of the process of returning oxygen-depleted blood to the heart.

Perforator veins have one-way valves designed to prevent backflow of blood down towards the superficial veins. When those valves no longer function properly and reflux occurs, the buildup of blood and pressure can cause not only the superficial veins but the perforators themselves to become incompetent. Perforator veins in the lower leg and ankle are particularly vulnerable to distention and incompetence, and the resultant circulatory problems create an increased likelihood of edema, skin discoloration, dermatitis and skin ulcers in the immediate area.

Your doctor may have recommended RFA treatment of your perforator vein(s) because it is contributing to:

  • Venous leg ulcers
  • Pre-ulcerative skin changes
  • Persistent or recurrent varicose veins
  • Leg pain
  • Leg swelling

“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

 

RFA for perforator vein reflux2023-05-24T16:56:04-07:00

26, 6, 2020

Understanding What Your Doctor Is Saying About Your Veins

2020-09-17T18:42:20-07:00

If you’re not a vascular specialist, it may be difficult to understand the words used to describe your vein condition. Vein terms are not used in everyday life.  Especially, when it comes to the anatomy of the veins. Below is a glossary of the terms, we as vein specialists, use on a daily basis but may be foreign to the patient.  This is provided from the American Vein and Lymphatic Society (AVLS) healthyveins.org.

Anatomical Vein Terms

Anterior: The front of a body part.

Posterior: Back of a body part.

Deep Leg Vein: The veins that are deep in the thigh and leg that carry blood back to the heart.

Connective Tissue: This strong tissue is the white tissue that covers muscle.

Great Saphenous Vein: (sometimes called GSV or long saphenous vein) A long vein that can be seen just in front of the anklebone. This vein travels along the inside of the leg and thigh (about one-half inch beneath the skin in the thigh) until it empties into the deep vein called the common femoral vein in the groin.

Perforating Vein: A vein that passes directly from a superficial vein to a deep vein.

Popliteal Vein: The deep vein located behind the knee. The small saphenous vein originates from the popliteal vein.

Small Saphenous Vein: (sometimes called SSV, Lesser Saphenous Vein, or LSV) A superficial vein that starts at the outside of the foot and travels up the back of the calf where it empties into the deep vein (popliteal vein) in the crease of the knee.

Spider Vein: A tiny varicose vein that may be blue or red color that does not protrude above the skin surface and frequently looks like a spider. Common medical terms you may hear for spider veins are telangiectasias and telangiectatic veins. Slightly larger varicose veins that do not protrude above the skin are called reticular veins.

Superficial Vein: Any vein in the lower extremity above the deep fascia that covers the muscles of the thigh and leg.

Varicose Vein: A bulging vein that protrudes past the skin surface and usually measures greater than one-fourth of an inch (6.4 mm) in diameter.

Vein Function Terms

Competent Vein: Blood flow occurs in the proper direction back to the heart. Also referred to as Having No Reflux Or Normal Flow Direction.

Incompetent Vein: Blood flows in the wrong direction. Also referred to as a vein that has reflux.

Reflux: Blood that flows backward in the veins.

 

Anatomical Images and Explanations

Normal Blood Flow: After the blood has been replenished with oxygen in the lungs, it is pumped to the body by the heart. Blood that is pumped to the lower extremities is pumped back to the heart partially by the action of the calf muscle pump. The blood returning from the lower extremities in the deep and superficial veins goes past a series of one-way valves. These valves stop the blood from flowing backwards in the veins.

Reflux: The valves in the veins close just as blood begins to flow backwards. If the valves do not close properly, the blood falls backwards through the poorly closing or leaking valves. The veins downstream that are now unprotected by valves further upstream are exposed to the weight of an increasingly high column of blood. These downstream veins cannot endure the pressure of the column of blood and expand becoming snake-like in appearance. This causes the veins to bulge through the skin surface and become varicose veins.

Understanding What Your Doctor Is Saying About Your Veins2020-09-17T18:42:20-07:00
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