A few. We request that patients limit activities that require contraction of the abdominal muscles because that causes an increase in venous pressure in the legs for 7-10 days. Such activities include jogging, heavy lifting, sit-ups, crunches and excessive stair climbing. Since we want the treated vein to close, we want to subject it to as little pressure as possible till it has a chance to heal. Walking is encouraged. You'll be back to your more strenuous activities in ten days to two weeks.

In most cases, yes. Also, remember, there are no separate hospital or anesthesiologist charges to pay because these procedures are done in our office. One of our services is to obtain pre-certification from your insurance company. Usually no, because they consider sclerotherapy to be a cosmetic procedure (ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy can often be an exception to this rule).

VNUS closure got to market about two years before the first vein laser. Some insurance companies approve both technologies, some only VNUS (as of now). The VNUS device is more complicated and considerably more expensive to use. Both technologies are FDA approved. I have found that the laser is almost 100% successful in closing average-sized saphenous veins, and it is definitely more effective than the VNUS device for closing large saphenous veins.

No. Generally the saphenous vein is only destroyed when it is thick and thrombosed. The vein in this state is almost useless and non- functioning and there is no harm in removing it. However, a normally functioning saphenous vein with no leaky valves should not be treated. A normal saphenous vein should always be preserved because it may be required in the future for open heart surgery.

In theory, blood flow can resume. However, the probability of the saphenous vein reopening appears to be no more than 10% out to 2 years. One published report found that at 2 years 90% of Closure treated veins were invisible to ultrasound, suggesting permanent obliteration.

This minimally invasive treatment is an outpatient procedure performed using imaging guidance. After applying local anesthetic to the vein, the interventional radiologist inserts a thin catheter, about the size of a strand of spaghetti, into the vein and guides it up to the great saphenous vein in the thigh. Then laser or radiofrequency energy is applied to the inside vein. This heats the vein and seals the vein closed.

The treatment takes less then an hour and provides immediate relief of symptoms. You can return to normal activity immediately with little or no pain. There may be minor soreness or bruising, which can be treated with over-the-counter pain relievers. There is no scar, because the procedure does not require a surgical incision, just a nick in the skin, about the size of a pencil tip.

The two-year data show 93 to 95 percent success rate. This is a much higher efficacy rate than surgical ligation or stripping.

High ligation is another surgical procedure done in the operation room under local or general anesthesia. It involves a groin incision (possibly on both sides). The tissue is dissected by the surgeon down to the greater saphenous vein (GSV)/femoral vein junction. The greater saphenous vein is then clamped and tied off. The idea is to sever the connection between the superficial system (the GSV) and the deep system (the femoral vein).

It is true that many times the greater saphenous vein is used in cardiac surgery; however, if the vein is diseased, as is the case with varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency, it is typically unusable for heart surgery. In addition, there are other possible sources of veins or arteries in the body to use for that purpose.

Patients who have multiple risk factors for heart disease (such as male gender, smoking, high blood lipids, hypertension, a sedentary lifestyle or a strong family history of the disease) may need to preserve one of the saphenous veins, assuming that it is not already too abnormal. By combining ligation (tying the vein at the source of abnormal flow) and sclerotherapy, varicose veins can be removed while the saphenous vein is preserved.

This is a procedure done at the surgery center to help control or stop abnormal bleeding or heavy periods. It is a painless and quick procedure done while you are asleep for 15 minutes. You can go home in 1 - 2 hours after the procedure and resume normal activity the next day. You cannot attempt pregnancy after this procedure is done. This is a simple option to alleviate abnormal bleeding and/or heavy periods without needing a hysterectomy!

Just about anyone. Heredity plays the biggest role. 10% of men and 50% of women totaling over 80 million Americans are affected. As might be expected, any condition that puts strain on flow of blood from the legs toward the heart can aggravate the condition. This includes, but is not limited to pregnancy, standing for long periods, obesity, and extended sitting. For each individual, it is important to accurately identify the cause of their particular situation.

You may go back to your normal activities within one week. The surgery is performed without stitches and the TVT tape sticks immediately inside you. You still have to avoid heavy lifting and straining as well as sexual intercourse for one month.

Endovenous Laser Ablation Treatment is a treatment alternative to surgical stripping of the greater saphenous vein. A small laser fiber is inserted, usually through a needle stick in the skin, into the damaged vein. Pulses of laser light are delivered inside the vein, which causes the vein to collapse and seal shut. The procedure is done in-office under local anesthesia. Following the procedure a bandage or compression hose is placed on the treated leg.

ablation is a way to stop fast heart beats by interrupting an electrical short circuit. This allows the heart to beat at a regular, slower rate. An electrophysiologic study (EPS) must be done (refer to Learning for Life EPS) to determine the location of the abnormality in the heart's electrical system. Radio frequency (RF) ablation will be attempted during the first EPS or during a separate session.

The training period should be appropriate to the needs of the final beneficiaries and must be confined to the duration of the project. No. All projects must be completed by September 2007 irrespective of their starting date and all reports or claims for final payments must be submitted the latest by 30 October 2007. No extension beyond that period is to be granted. At the stage of applying there is no such need.

You should discuss your activities with your doctor. In general, your activities do not need to be restricted.

Sometimes it's easy to determine what causes the veins to develop. The known factors include heredity, pregnancy, female hormones (especially progesterone), obesity, and standing all day at work (hairdresser, sales, etc.) Often we don't have a clue. Varicose veins develop more frequently on the left for reasons unknown.

Theoretically anyone can get a DVT after any surgical procedure. However, the risk of DVT after EVLT is very low (less than 1 in 400).