Vascular and interventional medicine is a rapidly advancing field of medicine that offers a minimally invasive approach to treating many common acute, chronic, and end-stage diseases. With technological advances and an evidence-based approach to medical practice, minimally invasive treatments as first-line or adjunctive therapies may be available. Key strengths in the field of vascular and interventional radiology include providing patients with alternative minimally invasive treatments; obtaining second opinions in patients who have been classified as “unsalvageable” or “inoperable” in other hospitals; suggesting cost-effective ways of treating a condition even if these are not offered in their home hospital; and embarking on clinical research based on existing or proposed treatments to enhance the practice of vascular and interventional radiology.
Minimally Invasive Treatments for Vein Disease
Our clinic specializes in vein disease treatment, providing effective solutions to improve your vascular health. These treatments are technically simple, effective, associated with a short recovery time, and are relatively problem-free. Most problems have never been reported or may not currently be recognized.
Sclerotherapy is an overall effective treatment for spider veins and smaller varicose veins in the legs. In laser ablation therapy, laser energy is used to heat certain segments of the previous veins so that they eventually shrink and close off. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) procedure uses highly localized heat that is delivered with a small catheter. This minimizes bruising, swelling, and pain to the surrounding tissue. After the procedure, the vein seals shut, and blood is rerouted to other healthy veins. Media hype claims that vein stripping is in the past. Two problems remain from the use, abuse, and over-utilization of RFA.
At VIC, we offer minimally invasive treatments for varicose and spider veins. As a minimally invasive technique is utilized, the treatments generally require only local anesthesia and tiny needle pricks as access points. Patients can usually resume their normal activities on the same day as the treatment.
Minimally invasive vein treatments are commonly performed at VIC. With cutting-edge equipment and technologies at our disposal, we can deliver a variety of minimally invasive treatments for vein disease effectively and comfortably. These treatments range from laser ablation of varicose veins to sclerotherapy of spider veins. Unlike traditional vein surgeries, which might require general anesthesia and large, unpleasant incisions, our minimally invasive vein treatments usually require only local anesthesia and tiny needle pricks as access points.
Solutions for Uterine Fibroids
We offer care for uterine fibroids, helping women manage symptoms and improve their quality of life. Currently, research is being done on other arterial embolization procedures to investigate if minimally invasive arterial embolization can replace extensive surgery in this field. For instance, embolization of the ovarian artery to induce early onset of menopause is under exploration.
Discussing vascular anatomy before treatment is crucial to avoid inadvertent embolization of other organs. Occlusion of the uterine artery after pregnancy or during gynecological treatment can result in several complications, such as ischemia of the uterus, anal necrosis, or chronic pain. Countries with a high medical standard already regulate a safe turnover of indicated uterine artery embolization (UAE). Uterine artery embolization (UAE) was introduced to reduce blood loss during treatment for myomas or placenta previa. The concept involves temporarily occluding the uterine artery to provide bloodletting during treatment. The embolization with particles starves the fibroids of their blood supply, offering more space during minimally invasive myomectomy due to pre-conditioning of the fibroid tissue.
Fibroids are common in women, occurring at an early age. Nearly 70% of Caucasian women and more than 80% of women of African American descent have fibroids by menopause. Minimally invasive vascular treatments for uterine fibroids have evolved, with embolization procedures being used for multiple indications, including the treatment of reproductive organs.
Understanding and Treating Varicose Veins
Our treatments for varicose veins are designed to alleviate discomfort and enhance the appearance of your legs. Varicose veins refer to veins that have become thick, twisted, and bulging. It is often visible as a blue, red, and bluish-purple color blood vessel with a cord-like appearance on the legs. Spider veins, which are similar but smaller, may be visible on the legs and face. These varicose and spider veins, while many are an unsightly condition, are not just a cosmetic issue. They may cause pain and discomfort, and in a minority of cases, more significant health problems. Symptoms may include aching, cramping, fatigue, itching, burning, or swelling in the legs. In more serious conditions, the skin may start to itch, as well as turn brown, ooze, break down, and lead to ulcers or bleeding. Such patients will usually require evaluation by vascular specialists.
The veins are important in circulation as they bring blood from the organs, muscles, and tissues back to the heart after the oxygen in the blood has been used up and the blood has become deoxygenated. For the veins in the leg, there is a larger problem of bringing blood upwards against gravity. Unlike arteries, which have the heart to pump the blood, the veins have to carry blood up by pressure changes due to ankle muscle movement, and this blood is directed up by one-way valves in the veins. Varicose veins occur due to ‘leakage’ of these one-way valves in our lower limbs. This condition is aggravated by prolonged standing, heat, pressure on the veins, and obesity. Sometimes, it is also related to aging.
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