The Efficacy of Endovenous Thermal Ablation for Venous Disease

The veins are essential in maintaining cardiovascular function because they transport deoxygenated blood from body tissue to the heart, which pumps blood through the arteries to the lungs for oxygenation. However, various vein diseases can jeopardize function and thus hinder the quality of life by promoting cardiovascular complications. Physicians at the Midwest Institute for Non-Surgical Therapy recommend vein ablation St. Louis to address incompetent veins and thus improve patients’ symptoms.

Endovenous thermal ablation involves high-frequency radio waves. Your doctor will expose incompetent veins to this laser therapy to create intense local heat to close off any problematic veins and thus redetect blood to surrounding healthy vessels. The best thing about this treatment is the minimal side effects involved. Your doctor will use a catheter to direct heat to varicose veins and close them up without bruising and causing excess bleeding. Moreover, this treatment has lesser downtime than other therapies like ligation and stripping, and thus a patient can resume normal activities sooner.

Why you should undergo endovenous thermal ablation for your vein disease

There are many complications to having a venous disease. For example, vein disease can result in blood clots that increase your risk of cardiovascular issues like stroke or heart attack. Fortunately, your physician may recommend laser therapy to address symptoms of vein disease, thus minimizing the risk of potential complications. This treatment is ideal for patients with large varicose veins and problematic saphenous veins. However, an initial consultation is crucial to help your doctor evaluate your condition and thus individualize treatment to guarantee desired results.

How should you prepare for an endovenous thermal ablation?

You will collaborate with your health care provider, who will advise you on specific guidelines to follow before having the procedure. Patients must undergo pre-procedure tests to ensure treatment candidacy. You may also need to discontinue for certain medications to minimize the risk of complications.

What should you expect during endovenous thermal ablation?

This treatment may be excruciating for patients, and therefore, physicians begin the procedure by delivering a sedative or regional anesthesia to ensure patients remain comfortable during the process. General anesthesia is also an option, especially if the targeted treatment area is large. The next step involves inserting the catheter into the problematic vein. Your physician will leverage ultrasound technology to better identify the location before exposing the vein to a laser. Endovenous thermal ablation usually lasts about two to three hours, depending on disease severity and treatment area.

You should not expect a hospital admission because physicians perform this treatment in an outpatient setting. It usually takes weeks before patients fully recover from endovenous thermal ablation therapy. Your physician will give you specific guidelines to ensure your incision heals properly without causing infection. You may need to elevate the treated limb when not moving to remove pressure from the leg and ensure optimal blood flow.

There are potential side effects to endovenous thermal ablation, like the development of blood clots and nerve irritation. For this reason, contact a certified physician who understands the proper technique to perform the procedure to minimize the risk of complications. Call the Midwest Institute for Non-Surgical therapy offices to schedule a laser therapy consultation and determine if this treatment is ideal for your vein concerns. 

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