Endovenous Laser Ablation Q & A
What is endovenous laser ablation?
Endovenous laser ablation (ELA) is a treatment Dr. Madan uses at Center for Varicose Veins to resolve venous problems and varicose veins.
Ablation means using a source of heat to safely create a precise level of damage to tissues in your body. When treating varicose veins, ablation causes the collagen in the vein walls to contract, so they collapse and close up. Blood can no longer travel along the treated vein, which eventually breaks down and disappears.
ELA causes the treated veins to collapse in the same way as RFA, but it makes use of laser energy to create the heat rather than radiofrequency energy.
To ensure accuracy and safety, Dr. Madan performs endovenous laser ablation using ultrasound guidance, which gives him a live view of your veins.
Why would I need endovenous laser ablation?
You might be a suitable candidate for endovenous laser ablation if venous insufficiency is causing your varicose veins. Venous insufficiency is a problem where your blood vessels don’t function properly. It develops when the valves in your veins weaken. Having faulty valves means that instead of blood traveling only back to your heart, it can seep back the wrong way along your veins.
The blood forms pools that show up as varicose veins, which are unsightly, lumpy, bulging veins that might be blue, red, or purple in color. As well as being unsightly, varicose veins might also cause symptoms such as:
Aching / Pain
Heaviness
Fatigue / Tiredness
Itching / Burning/ Warmth
Throbbing / Cramping
Restlessness
Swelling
Venous insufficiency and varicose veins can also increase your risk of developing more serious conditions, including blood clots and venous leg ulcers.
Endovenous laser ablation is one of several cutting-edge treatment options available at Center for Varicose Veins.
What happens during an endovenous laser ablation session?
When you undergo endovenous laser ablation, Dr. Madan uses a local anesthetic or mild sedative to keep you comfortable. He inserts a slim tube (catheter) into your vein through a tiny puncture site, using ultrasound imaging for precision guidance.
When the catheter is in place, Dr. Madan delivers the laser energy at a precise and consistent heat until the vein collapses.
Endovenous laser ablation is an in-office procedure at Center for Varicose Veins and requires only minimal downtime afterward. Dr. Madan gives you compression stockings to wear for a week after your ELA procedure, to ensure the treatment delivers the optimal results.
You might also need to have a duplex ultrasound scan at a follow-up appointment to check for full closure of the problem veins.
Call Center for Varicose Veins today to find out more about endovenous laser ablation, or book an appointment online.
Center for Varicose Veins
Dr. Vinay Madan, MD, DABVLM
Board Certified Vascular and Interventional Radiologist
Diplomate American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine
If you have troublesome varicose veins, some highly advanced, minimally invasive procedures are available to eliminate these problem veins, including endovenous laser ablation. Board-certified Vascular and Interventional Radiologist Vinay Madan, MD, DABVLM at Center for Varicose Veins, is an expert in varicose vein treatment and use of laser ablation. Call Center for Varicose Veins today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Madan or book an appointment online.