w w w. r i m i r a d . c o mFebruary 2020

401 .432 .2400

Varicose VeinTherapy

What makes The Vein Institute at Rhode Island Medical Imaging a great choice for your care:

• The first image-guided experts in varicose vein treatment in RI

• The most experienced and highest volume vein practice in RI

• Full consultation with ultrasound evaluation and treatment planning can be done at the first visit

LOCATION

PAWTUCKETBlackstone Valley Medical Building

333 School Street

Lower Level, Suite 105

Pawtucket, RI 02860

®

What happens if these are left untreated?If left untreated, varicose veins may progressively worsen in size and symptoms. This can lead to increased pain, leg heaviness, swelling and skin discoloration. More serious complications may include bleeding, painful blood clots and ulceration.

What are some of the treatments for varicoseveins?At Rhode Island Medical Imaging, all types of vein issues can be treated with a variety of minimally invasive approaches. Large veins are treated with a simple and virtually painless procedure called endovenous laser ablation (EVLA). Some large veins can also be treated with VenaSeal. Medium and smaller veins are treated with ultrasound guided sclerotherapy or microphlebectomy.

What is endovenous laser ablation (EVLA)?This non-surgical procedure targets the vein walls internally with a laser beam, and shrinks them, thus closing the faulty vein so the blood can no longer flow through it. The procedure is guided with ultrasound to help ensure ultimate accuracy.

What is VenaSeal?The most recent and exciting innovation in the treatment of varicose veins is the use of medical glue known as VenaSeal to physically shut down and seal the defective vein. Once the vein has been glued shut, it will gradually be absorbed by the body. The procedure is minimally invasive with a short recovery time.

Female

AfterBefore

At the Vein Institute at Rhode Island Medical Imaging, your vein therapy is performed bya team of experts with special training to perform interventional procedures.They are members of a highly skilled group of physicians and physician assistants who have broad-based subspecialty training in all areas of vascular medicine.

Facts about varicose veinsBoth men and women commonly experience the discomfort and pain of bulging varicose veins. In women, pregnancy often initiates or worsens the condition. Varicose veins, though often described as “cosmetic” are a true medical condition warranting care. Because of this, varicose vein therapy is covered by most insurance companies.

Male

Before After

What is sclerotherapy?For the treatment of small varicose veins and spider veins, a sclerosing foam or solution is injected into the vein with a very fine needle using image guidance. This causes the vein to constrict and reduce or disappear.

What is microphlebectomy?For medium and certain small veins, after image guided mapping, tiny “stabs” or “nicks” in the skin (the size of an intravenous needle) are used to selectively remove the veins.

What are the advantages of RIMI’s techniques over older procedures?With these newer techniques, some of the advantages are a lower recurrence rate, a shorter recovery period and no general anesthesia required. Most importantly, there is no visible scarring. Older procedures, such as surgical ligation and stripping, are performed under general anesthesia and involve surgical incisions in order to remove the faulty vein.

What is the first step towards smoother, less painful legs?Schedule a consultation with a specialist at The Vein Institute by calling 401.432.2400. Together we can decide together which procedure is appropriate.What causes these conditions?

Veins carry blood from the legs back to the heart. The thin-walled veins are squeezed by the leg muscles as they contract, forcing the blood through one-way valves. If the valves fail to close or leak, the blood can run backwards and pool in the legs, causing veins to become swollen and visible. Genetics, pregnancy, hormonal changes and standing for long hours are all factors that can worsen your varicose veins.