Varicose Veins Radiofrequency Ablation Therapy
Varicose Veins Radiofrequency Ablation Therapy is a minimally invasive technique used for treating superficial venous insufficiency causing varicose veins and chronic venous disease.
Some facts about Varicose Veins Radiofrequency Ablation Therapy:
- Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a procedure to treat varicose veins in which heat created from radiofrequency (RF) is used.
- Varicose veins happen most often in the legs which are swollen, enlarged veins.
- Varicose veins can develop when valves in your veins become damaged causing problems with blood flow.
- The veins may bulge, twist, and stand out under your skin and can also cause symptoms such as aching, cramping, or swelling in your legs as too much blood collects in your veins over time.
- RF heat is sent into your vein through a thin, flexible tube (catheter) during RFA treatment which closes off blood flow in the main problem vein.
Preparation for Varicose Veins Radiofrequency Ablation Therapy:
- Your provider must be informed if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant, are breastfeeding, smoke or use alcohol on a regular basis or have any allergies or intolerances to certain medicines.
- You need to explain what reaction you have had to these medicines in the past.
- Inform your provider about any medicines you are taking such as anticoagulants, all prescription medicines, over-the-counter medicines such as aspirin or ibuprofen, street drugs, herbs, vitamins, and other supplements as you may need to stop taking all or some of them before the test.
Procedure for Varicose Veins Radiofrequency Ablation Therapy:
- Usually the treatment takes 45 to 60 minutes and the entire treatment including time to prepare and recover takes about 1 to 3 hours.
- An imaging method, such as ultrasound, is used to guide the procedure after you lie down on a hospital bed.
- Numbing medicine will be injected to the leg to be treated.
- A small hole (puncture) will be made by a needle in the vein to be treated once your leg is numb.
- The catheter with the RF heat source will be inserted into your vein.
- The vein needs to be as tightly wrapped around the catheter as possible to facilitate the process.
- Compression is applied to the vein using tumescent anesthesia and external compression and the leg is elevated to collapse the vein.
- An electrical feedback mechanism is integrated into the fiber which can alter the energy delivery to maintain a constant temperature.
- More numbing medicine will be injected around your vein if required.
- The catheter will be slowly drawn backward once it is in the right position.
- The vein is closed off as the catheter sends out heat.
- Other side branch varicose veins may be removed or tied off through a few small cuts in some cases.
- The catheter will be removed once the treatment is done.
- Pressure may be applied to the insertion site to stop any bleeding and an elastic compression stocking or a bandage may then be put on your leg.
- You may need o wear compression stockings for one week or more after treatment.
- Duplex ultrasound is used by your doctor to make sure that the vein is closed.
