Editor's note: This story was originally published in Health Care Quarterly, magazine about Southern Nevada's health care industry. Stories in Health Care Quarterly were submitted by doctors and their affiliates.
Take a 24-hour town, round-the-clock, never-sit-down job shifts and an aging workforce and you have prime conditions for vascular issues such as varicose veins.
Varicose veins, which occur in all age groups and both men and women, can cause symptoms that can hamper well-being, including heaviness, aching, swelling, throbbing and itching of the legs.
“Roughly 25 million people in the United States are affected by venous disease,” said Dr. Nick Morrison, past president of the American College of Phlebology. “The American College of Phlebology would like to further the understanding of leg vein symptoms, and the minimally invasive methods that can be used to treat vein disorders.”
Many patients remember the outdated use of vein-stripping surgery to treat varicose veins, which can be painful and involve a lengthy recovery. But there are a number of new products, procedures and technologies for treating varicose veins and shortening recovery time. One of the latest FDA-approved procedures being used by several valley physicians, including members of the American College of Phlebology, is a nonsurgical product called Varithena, a foam injected directly into the malfunctioning vein.
Howard Bluestone of Henderson had a bulging vein on his left leg that was bothering him for several years before his family doctor referred him to Dr. Eddy Luh, a board-certified vascular surgeon who used Varithena.
“The vein in my leg was getting worse and I felt it was time to get it taken care of,” he said. “The 10-minute procedure was a piece of cake and it was all done in the doctor’s office. And I was healed in a few days.” Bluestone had the procedure done in December. He followed it up by wearing a compression stocking and resumed activity right away. He said he feels since having the procedure that he already has a better quality of life.
American College of Phlebology board member Dr. Marlin Schul, owner of the Lafayette Regional Vein & Laser Center in Lafayette, Ind., said that besides Varithena, new technologies will include a medical glue that is going through FDA approval designed to close the saphenous veins, the two chief superficial veins in the leg. Also, he said, a coming cold laser ablation technique involves no heat or blood clots and a simple needle puncture. In addition, he said there have been huge advances in compression technology, including Velcro wrap devices, unique fabrics that allow easier application and styles like a Capri garment that helps patient care.
Luh, a board-certified vascular surgeon and director of the Elite Vein Center of Las Vegas Surgical Associates, was the first to bring laser vein ablation therapy to Las Vegas for treatment of superficial venous insufficiency and the first to bring minimally invasive transilluminated powered phlebectomy. He also performs microfoam ablation using Varithena.
Luh calls Varithena “a game-changer.” Luh said it saves costs, eliminating the need for extensive anesthetic or other surgical paraphernalia. Also, he said, the procedure can be quicker and less painful than many other venous treatments; patients return to work more quickly.
Dr. Robert Diamond, vice president of medical affairs for the Conshohocken, Pa.-based BTG International Inc., said Varithena is the first and only Food and Drug Administration-approved microfoam for the treatment of superficial venous incompetency and other visible varicosities.
Designed in consultation with the FDA, only physicians who have had specific experience with venous disease and duplex ultrasound are eligible for the BTG Varithena Physician Training Program. BTG is currently working with more southern Nevada medical professionals to be trained in the technology.
To find a list of vein specialists in the Las Vegas area as well as information about vein disease, including a free online assessment to see if you’re at risk, visit the American College of Phlebology website at www.phlebology.org/patient-information.
Ruth Furman is a Las Vegas-based writer and marketing communications executive.