No Pain, No Vein...

NEW OPTIONS FOR TREATING
VARICOSE VEINS



EVLT (endovenous laser therapy)
If you suffer from vein reflux disease, this is what this new method of EVLT (endovenous laser therapy) will mean for you…

• Relief from leg heaviness
• Relief from aching and burning pain
• Confidence and desire to wear shorts/dresses again
• An improvement in general health
• A sense of well-being
• Confidence to bare your legs
• Renewed energy and vigor
• No more leg swelling

Factors
The cause of varicose veins is generally due to an abnormal backflow called saphenous vein reflux. Factors that can lead to this often painful problem are:

• Pregnancy
• Excess weight
• Prolonged standing or sitting
• Inadequate exercise
• Damage or trauma to the vein
• Genetics

You can have your vein reflux treated in a 45 minute outpatient procedure and walk out of the office. The procedure leaves no scar, minimal postoperative pain, a quick 1-2 week recovery, and provides almost immediate relief from your symptoms.

Benefits
The EVLT treatment has many benefits over the alternative treatment options such as surgical stripping:

• Less trauma to the leg and fewer side effects
• No operative scars
• No general anesthesia
• No hospital stay
• Much less post treatment discomfort

Compared to Minimally Invasive Treatments:

• First treatments have 97% success rates
• Minor skin discoloration that is gone after 4 weeks
• Reduced risk of major and minor complications

EVLT procedure
The EVLT procedure is a quick, minimally invasive procedure which uses a probe and a slim sheath that enters the vein through a tiny skin nick. The probe is guided into place using an ultrasound. Performed strictly under local anesthesia. Dr. Lachtermann states it is similar to a dentist numbing the treatment area or having an IV started.

A disposable catheter is inserted into the vein, the vein is warmed by laser energy and causes it to collapse, and the catheter is slowly withdrawn, closing the vein

Here is what to expect:

1. Ultrasound technician uses ultrasound to map out the vein to close
2. Local anesthesia is applied
3. A thin laser fiber is inserted through a tiny entry point (usually near the knee or ankle)
4. Laser energy is delivered to seal the vein
5. Your normal day activity is resumed. Walking immediately after surgery is encouraged, but avoid vigorous activities for a week.
6. Common side effects are temporary tenderness and numbness
7. Wearing a graduated compression stocking

Patient walking in the hallway of the heart center only 15 minutes
after EVLT procedure

Treatment Options offered:
Sclerotherapy involves an injection of solution directly into the vein. It causes the vein to turn into scar tissue that fades from view. It has been used since the 1930’s most popular the last 30 years. It is used for treatment in:

• Varicose veins or large veins less than 3mm. Results can take up to 3 months
• Spider Veins which are another form of varicose veins. They appear red or purple. Results can take up to 3-4 weeks. Dr. Peabody states they are commonly caused by:
• Sun exposure
• Heredity
• Normal aging process

Cutera is laser therapy which exudes a burst of light which can:

• Ablate spider veins less than 1mm in diameter
• Permanently remove hair

Dr. Peabody performing photo laser therapy with a
Cutera CoolGlide CV 1064nm Laser
Our Physicians
Dr. Christopher LaVergne, Dr. Brenda Peabody, and Dr. Bruce Lachterman are board certified in Cardiovascular Medicine and are specially trained in Phlebology. They are three of nine physicians of The Woodlands North Houston Heart Center. These nine physicians have closed the gap of limiting vascular treatment to arterial disease alone and have adopted a “Total Vascular Care” approach. Dr. LaVergne states that venous insufficiency or reflux, which is a pooling of venous blood that is unable to return from the leg to the heart. “Venous insufficiency itself leads to other complications, the most common of which are blood clots, phlebitis, ulcers, bleeding, infection, and a discoloration of the leg.” Dr Peabody says “ untreated varicose veins tend to worsen; in other words, once you have them, they won’t get better on their own.”

Our Total Vascular Care Team:

Testimonials
Susan Stevens says she spends eight hours a day on her feet as an operating room nurse, a job she has held for 30 years. As a result, over time she developed a varicose vein on her right thigh.

“I wore support hose to work and did all the right things, but at the end of the workday, my leg would be swollen and throbbing and I’d have to elevate it,” says the 52 year old Spring resident.

In October, she opted for endovenous laser surgery, a relatively new procedure for treating varicose veins.

“I had the laser surgery on Friday and was back at work on Monday. And all I had was slight bruising from the catheter, but no more varicose veins,” she says. “It changed my life. I’m no longer in pain while I work. I love my legs now.”

FAQ's

Why should I close this vein?
The vein will only reflux more, causing more issues and more severe. There are many veins in the leg and after treatment the blood in the faulty veins will be diverted to normal, healthier veins and make its way back to the heart.

How does the procedure work?
The laser energy damages the walls, shrinking them and closing the vein so blood can no longer go through it. Dr. LaVergne states that your body absorbs it like it never existed.

Are there complications?
There are potential problems with any medical procedure. Few patients exibit transient paresthesia (numbness) that subsides.

Is there an alternative to an EVLT?
Surgical stripping can be performed but involves general anesthesia and has more complications. If your vein is appropriate for injection therapy, that can be used. However if the source of your reflux is the larger great saphenous, then it should be closed to eliminate any reopening of the vein and issues associated with it.

How do I know if having an EVLT is the right decision?
If you are currently having pain in the leg, swelling, discoloration, leg heaviness, and /or ulcers, you should consider an EVLT to reduction to elimination of these. Nighttime leg cramps have also been shown to be linked to venous reflux.

How do I get an EVLT or other vein treatments?
Call to schedule an appointment. Most insurances cover vein procedures due to the results from your vein ultrasound and your symptoms.

To see if you are candidate for treatment call The Vein Center at (832) 249-3728 option “3”, to schedule an appointment. Sign up to our Facebook page for promotions.