Are You At Risk for Deep Vein Thrombosis?

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Some vein problems, such as varicose veins, are often little more than cosmetic concerns. But for some people, varicose veins can be a symptom of a larger vein issue or circulation problem, such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). DVT affects millions of people per year, and according to the Centers for Disease Control, can recur in about 30 percent of patients.  Although DVT can happen to anyone, there are a variety of factors that can increase your risk for the condition. Find out if you are at risk for DVT.

Deep Vein Thrombosis Risk Factors

Elevated Hormone Levels

Elevated estrogen levels can increase your risk for developing DVT. Taking hormonal birth control pills or using another hormone based method of birth control often increases the blood’s clotting ability. The elevated hormone levels associated with pregnancy can also put a woman at an increased risk for DVT, up to six weeks after the birth of the baby. Women who are taking hormone replacement therapy may also have an elevated risk.

Injury to a Vein

Some types of injury, such as a bone fracture or muscle injury, can also cause damage to the veins, increasing a person’s risk for DVT. In some cases, the stress put on the body by major surgery, especially surgery in the abdominal, hip or leg area, can also raise the risk for DVT.

Reduced Blood Flow

Good blood flow or circulation helps reduce the likelihood of clots forming. There are several instances when circulation can be interrupted or slowed down. For example, if you need to sit still for long periods of time, such as on a long plane ride or because of bed rest, it is more difficult for the blood to pump from your legs back to your heart. The stalled circulation can make it more likely that a clot will develop. 

Genetics or Family History

Some people have an increased risk for DVT because they have a family history of the condition or of pulmonary embolisms. It’s also possible to have a higher than average risk for DVT due to an inherited blood clotting disorder. In some circumstances, a combination of factors, such as an inherited disorder combined with taking birth control pills, increase risk.

Other Risk Factors

Remember that DVT can happen to anyone, even if that person doesn’t have any of the above risk factors. Often times, simply getting older can be enough to raise the risk for the condition, as can having certain diseases or being overweight.

Often, vein treatment for DVT involves finding ways to break up the clot. Varicose vein treatment, such as wearing compression stockings, can help prevent symptoms of Post-thrombotic syndrome from occurring. If you are worried about DVT or other venous issues, scheduling an appointment at a vein clinic to discuss your treatment options with vein doctors and vascular surgeons is a good idea.

St. Louis Vein & Endovascular has several locations in Missouri. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.

Understanding the Dangers of Deep Vein Thrombosis

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Deep vein thrombosis, or DVT, is a serious condition that affects millions of people each year. Fortunately, with the proper vein treatment, complications of DVT can be prevented.

What is DVT?

DVT occurs when a blood clot develops within a vein located deep inside the body, obstructing the flow of blood. This condition can occur anywhere in the body, but it is most common in the leg. If DVT isn’t properly treated, pulmonary embolism can occur. With pulmonary embolism, the blood clot breaks free, travels through the veins and blocks blood flow in the lungs. This condition can be fatal.

The symptoms of DVT may vary. However, some of the most common symptoms include aching, swelling, cramps and tenderness. In some cases, DVT can occur without producing any symptoms. If DVT is left untreated for a significant amount of time, another complication known as “post-thrombotic syndrome” can occur. This condition is characterized by pain, itching, heaviness, tingling, ulcer, discoloration, varicose veins and swelling.

Treatment for DVT

When vein doctors discover DVT, they can treat it using a technique known as “thrombolytic therapy.” This treatment utilizes an injection of clot-dissolving medication, which breaks down the clot and restores the healthy flow of blood. This medication may flow through the blood vessels, or vascular surgeons may deliver the medication directly to the clot using a catheter. Some catheters used for this purpose also include attachments that help to break up the clot mechanically.

If DVT progresses to post-thrombotic syndrome, additional treatments may be necessary. For example, if the clot leads to the development of varicose veins, varicose vein treatment may be used to alleviate the symptoms.

What Should I Do if I Have DVT?

If you have been experiencing the symptoms of DVT, or if you have other reasons to believe that you may have a blood clot deep in your veins, you need to seek treatment from a vein clinic immediately. Please contact St. Louis Vein & Endovascular to make an appointment with an experienced vein doctor.

Exploring Your Available Vein Treatment Options

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If you are suffering from spider veins or varicose veins, you may feel both embarrassed and frustrated. Fortunately, you don’t have to let your abnormal veins continue to impact your life. Below is some information about the vein treatment options available from your local vein clinic.

Conservative Treatment

If your condition is mild, you may need only conservative treatment. Conservative treatment for abnormal veins typically consists of wearing compression stockings, elevating your affected limbs, losing excess weight and/or engaging in regular exercise.

Sclerotherapy

One of the most common vein treatment procedures performed by vein doctors is sclerotherapy. This treatment is appropriate for both spider veins and varicose veins. During the procedure, a special medication is injected directly into the affected veins. This medication causes the vein to collapse and be reabsorbed by the body. Sclerotherapy may be performed with or without ultrasound guidance.

Radiofrequency Closure

Radiofrequency closure is a varicose vein treatment options that works by introducing radiofrequency energy into a diseased vein. This energy heats the walls of the vein, forcing it to seal off. Blood is then redirected to healthier veins.

Endovenous Laser Ablation

Endovenous laser ablation is similar to radiofrequency closure in that it uses a catheter to deliver energy into the interior of a diseased vein. However, this procedure uses laser energy instead of radiofrequency energy.

Ambulatory Phlebectomy

For varicose veins located near the surface of the skin, ambulatory phlebectomy may be the best choice. During this procedure, vascular surgeons remove the diseased vein from the body entirely through small incisions or punctures. This procedure results in an immediate relief from all associated symptoms.

Each of the procedures above offers different advantages for patients with abnormal veins. In order to determine which procedure is right for you, you must first visit an experienced vein doctor. Your vein doctor will be able to provide you with an accurate diagnosis, as well as valuable insight you can use to make the right decision. Contact St. Louis Vein & Endovascular to learn more.

The Symptoms and Causes of Venous Disease

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Approximately 25 million US citizens currently suffer from venous disease. Otherwise known as venous insufficiency, venous disease is a condition that arises when the flow of blood through the veins is weak or otherwise inadequate. As a result, gravity causes blood to pool in the lower extremities, typically causing unsightly and potentially painful and harmful varicose veins.

 

These varicose veins (or “spider veins”) have weakened or damaged tissue walls that cannot effectively pump blood upward. While a normal vein includes a number of one-way valves that close to prevent blood from falling downward, a varicose vein contains valves that refuse to close completely. This condition severely limits the flow of blood back to the heart.

 

While mild forms of venous insufficiency present only cosmetic issues and/or mild discomfort, serious cases can be extremely painful and dangerous. In very extreme cases, venous disease can lead to limb loss or even death.

 

Venous Insufficiency Symptoms

 

In short, venous insufficiency is a serious condition that should be addressed by the vein doctors and/or vascular surgeons at a specialized vein clinic or an equivalent medical setting. Seek vein treatment immediately if you experience one or more of the following symptoms:

 

•          Leg heaviness and/or fatigue

•           Pain or tenderness (particularly along the course of a vein)

•          Itching, burning, and/or throbbing

•          Swelling and/or water retention

•          Restless legs syndrome

•          Bight cramps

•          Restless legs

•          Paresthesia (a tingling, prickling, or “pins and needles” sensation)

•          Intolerance to exercise

 

Venous Insufficiency Causes

 

Individuals who are currently suffering from or have previously suffered from blood clots and varicose veins are at the highest risk of venous insufficiency. Blood clots cause venous insufficiency because they make it more difficult for blood to flow forward. They can also cause damage that can further restrict this flow. As previously stated, the weak walls and missing/impaired valves in varicose veins will cause blood to leak backwards and begin to pool in the legs.

 

Other factors and conditions that commonly contribute to venous insufficiency include:

 

•          Obesity

•          Smoking

•          Muscle weakness and/or inactivity

•          Leg injury/trauma

•          Cancer

•          Phlebitis (vein inflammation)

•          Pregnancy

 

Because susceptibility to venous insufficiency is passed down from generation to generation, a family history of the condition also places patients at a significantly higher risk.

 

What to Do

 

Individuals who suffer from venous insufficiency should seek the help of a skilled and knowledgeable medical professional as soon as possible. Varicose vein treatment from a specialized clinic such as the St. Louis Vein & Endovascular can not only improve the appearance of your legs but prevent a range of dangerous and potentially life-threatening conditions.

Conservative Varicose Vein Treatments From a Vein Clinic

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For some patients, varicose veins are simply a cosmetic problem.  For others, these unsightly blood vessels are also painful and sometimes linked to other medical problems.  Treatment options available from a vein clinic include lifestyle change recommendations and medical and surgical procedures.  Many individuals begin their treatment with conservative measures.

Conservative Treatment Choices

As many as 60 percent of Americans suffer from varicose veins, the University of Maryland Medical Center reports.  When they visit vein doctors, known as vascular surgeons, sometimes the initial treatment recommendation is a conservative one.  Lifestyle changes such as these cited by PubMed Health are often the first option for dealing with varicose veins and enable some patients to avoid medical or surgical procedures:

  • Getting more physical activity.  Getting the legs moving improves circulation and muscle tone.  It encourages blood to move through veins.
  • Shedding excess weight.  Being obese or even overweight can hinder blood flow.  Losing weight reduces pressure on veins.
  • Avoiding tight clothing.  Apparel that is tight around the legs, waist, or groin can cause varicose veins to get worse.
  • Avoiding extended periods of sitting or standing.  It is important to take an occasional break and to avoid crossing the legs while seated.
  • Elevating the legs.  Whenever possible, placing the legs above heart level and keeping them raised while sleeping, sitting, or resting is helpful.
  • Avoiding high heels.  Avoiding shoes with high heels and wearing those with lower heels helps tone muscles in the calf that help circulation.
  • Wearing compression stockings.  Three types are available, each with a different level of pressure.  Support pantyhose provide the least pressure.  Over-the-counter (OTC) compression stockings provide slightly more.  Prescription hose offer the greatest amount of pressure and require a patient fitting.  OTC and prescription hose are available at many pharmacies and at medical supply stores.

Other Varicose Vein Treatment Options

When conservative measures cannot control problems associated with varicose veins, physicians are able to offer alternatives.  Medical procedures include sclerotherapy to destroy a small varicose vein, laser surgery to case a vein to fade, and endovenous ablation to close off a varicose vessel with lasers or radio waves.

Vascular specialists typically reserve surgery for severe cases.  During endoscopic surgery, a device on the end of a camera closes a targeted vein.  To remove vessels closest to the skin’s surface, a physician might choose to perform an ambulatory phlebectomy.  For decades, vein stripping and ligation was the standard treatment for varicose veins.  Fortunately, doctors perform it today only for the severest cases.

It is important to realize that no treatment can prevent the formation of new varicose veins.  However, the Mayo Clinic suggests that making lifestyle changes such as getting more exercise, eliminating extra pounds, following a healthy diet, choosing the right shoes and clothing, and positioning legs correctly can help prevent new vessels.

Thrombolytic and Other Therapies for Deep Vein Thrombosis

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If you have deep vein thrombosis, or DVT, it means you have a blood clot that is forming deep within one of your veins. While this is more common in a leg vein, it can also occur in a pelvis.

The blood clot can cause your leg to swell up and lead to discomfort of the area. The blood clot is also dangerous because it has the potential to block proper blood flow in that vein. It is vital to get treated for this condition.

Here is information about the primary therapy, thrombolytic therapy, as well as some other treatment options to consider.

Thrombotic Vein Treatment

The thrombolysis procedure is one of the main thrombolytic therapies available for this condition. In this catheter-directed procedure,a tube is used to send medication into the vein by using imaging and a catheter placed in the vein in order to break up the blood clot.

The medication can dissolve the blood clot and remove the blockage within the vein. Thrombolytic Therapy for DVT is  a non-invasive procedure, so often less uncomfortable and with fewer side effects than surgery.

Preparing for the procedure typically involves stopping certain blood thinners and medications for safety purposes and having a place to relax at home after returning home from the procedure.

Blood Thinners and Anticoagulants

Your doctor might also suggest other treatments, such as taking a blood thinner or anticoagulant, to help with your deep vein thrombosis. These drugs can help keep the blood clot at its current size instead of growing, and eventually leading to a reduction of the size of the blood clot over time. Blood thinners and/or anticoagulants  may be given before or after the thrombolytic therapy for the vein condition.

Compression stockings

Compression stocking also provide a simple treatment option for this vein condition. They work by reducing swelling of the leg that is affected by the blood clotting. They are tall stocking, typically reaching up to the knees. Compression stockings are also highly recommended for people to wear who are prone to DVT blood clots when flying in an airplan . You may also be asked to wear them after you have had the thrombolysis procedure.

Surgery

In addition to the thrombolysis procedure, there are other surgical procedures that can help with this condition. For example, you can get a cava filter, which is a device that helps to capture blood clots before they move into your veins or to other parts of your body. Your doctor may also recommend getting a venous thrombectomy, which is surgery to cut out the blood clot.

If you believe you have deep vein thrombosis and want to discuss your treatment options, please contact us here at the St. Louis Vein & Endovascular at (314) 272-4150.

Vein Doctor Discuss Sclerotherapy

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Sclerotherapy is the most common treatment for varicose veins and spider veins, according to the Office on Women’s Health. Varicose veins and spider veins are enlarged, red- or blue-colored veins that appear on your thighs, the backs of your calves, or on the inside of your leg. Sclerotherapy is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure that effectively treats varicose veins and spider veins.

Vein doctors, also known as vascular surgeons, often perform sclerotherapy for cosmetic reasons. Varicose veins and spider veins can ruin the smooth, youthful appearance of skin. Vascular surgeons sometimes perform sclerotherapy to relieve symptoms associated with diseased veins, such as aching, swelling, burning, and night cramps.

How Sclerotherapy Works

Vein doctors perform sclerotherapy by using a needle to inject a chemical agent, known as a sclerosant, which irritates the inner lining of the varicose vein or spider vein. The irritation causes the vein to scar and eventually close, so it no longer carries blood. The body reroutes blood to other veins. In time, the treated vein breaks apart and is absorbed by nearby tissue.

After Vein Treatment

You can get up and walk around immediately after sclerotherapy – in fact, your vein doctor will probably recommend that you walk and move as much as possible to reduce the risk for blood clots. You will need someone to drive you home, however.

You will need to wear compression stockings for about two weeks after the procedure. These stockings apply pressure to the veins in your legs to keep blood circulating. Avoid strenuous exercise for the first two weeks after surgery.

Treated veins fade within a few weeks, although it may take up to a month to realize the full results of the vein treatment. Multiple treatments are sometimes necessary, especially for very large or stubborn varicose veins. Vein surgeons typically suggest repeating treatment every four to six weeks.

Sclerotherapy is not appropriate for some patients. Doctors suggest that women who are pregnant or are breastfeeding wait to undergo the procedure, for example.

All surgical procedures, even minimally invasive ones like sclerotherapy, carry some risk for complications. The procedure is relatively safe and is associated with few complications. Possible side effects include red, raised patches or bruising at the injection site, which usually go away soon after treatment. Brown lines, spots, or groups of tiny blood vessels may develop near the treatment site; these too should disappear shortly after treatment. A lump of clotted blood may develop in a treated vein. While this is not dangerous, it does require the attention of your vein surgeon.

Your vein doctor can perform sclerotherapy at your local vein clinic. The procedure does not require anesthesia. Sclerotherapy usually takes less than an hour.

To learn if sclerotherapy is right for you, make an appointment with your local vein clinic. Your vein doctor can help you decide if this type of spider vein or varicose vein treatment is right for you.

Causes of Venous Disease

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The causes of venous disease (or vein disease) can range from minor problems like spider veins to serious varicose veins and circulatory problems. In many cases, relatively simple treatments can relieve symptoms and help patients resume their normal activities. Vein doctors like cardiologist Raffi Krikorian, MD, of the St. Louis Vein & Endovascular, offer a variety of vein treatments for conditions like varicose veins and venous insufficiency.

Causes of Venous Disease

Veins are part of the circulatory system; they are the blood vessels that return blood to the heart. Healthy veins have small flaps of tissue, called valves, that drop into place after each beat of the heart to prevent the back-flow of blood. Muscle movements help return the blood to the heart, as the pressure in the veins isn’t as high as that in the arteries, which run from the heart and lungs to the tissues.

Venous or vein diseases generally fall into one of three major categories: venous insufficiency, varicose veins and phlebitis or blood clots. They may also include genetic malformations, but those are less common. Venous insufficiency occurs when the valves in the veins stop working properly and allow blood to flow backward. As the blood pools in the veins, they become distended and varicose veins develop. Venous insufficiency and varicose veins may result in leg ulcers from poor circulation. Phlebitis is an inflammation of the walls of the veins that can result in blood clots; it can be caused by venous insufficiency or varicose veins.

Venous diseases have a genetic component; it’s not uncommon for venous insufficiency and varicose veins to run in families. Venous insufficiency and varicose veins are more likely to occur with age; women age 40 to 49 and men age 70 to 79 are most at risk. Pregnancy and smoking affect the circulatory system and can result in venous insufficiency. People who spend long hours on their feet or who are obese or inactive are also at higher risk of developing vein diseases.

Once venous disease occurs, patients may display a variety of symptoms. Swelling in the feet and ankles is common, especially when standing for long periods. Pain when standing that improves when you raise your legs is another common sign. Leg cramps, aching or throbbing, itching, thickening skin on the legs and ankles, or skin that becomes discolored in those areas are also signs of venous disease. Some patients complain of a feeling of tightness around the calves.

If you have signs of venous disease or venous insufficiency, or varicose veins, you can find vein treatment at the vein clinic at St. Louis Vein & Endovascular. Dr. Krikorian is skilled in a variety of treatments, including sclerotherapy, ambulatory phlebectomy, radiofrequency closure and endovenous vein ablation treatment. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

How a Vein Doctor Can Help You

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For some people, spider veins and varicose veins are merely a cosmetic issue. They don’t look good, but they also don’t cause any medical problems. For others, varicose veins can cause symptoms and complications, ranging from burning and aching to bleeding and restless legs. Fortunately, a vein doctor can help people dealing with varicose veins and other vein problems. From determining the cause of your problem to performing varicose vein treatment, vein doctors are looking out for your well being.

What a Vein Doctor Can Do

Diagnose Your Condition

The first step to treatment is getting an accurate diagnosis from a doctor. Vascular surgeons diagnose varicose veins and other forms of venous disease by first looking at the legs, checking for signs of swelling and bulging veins. The doctor will most likely ask you to describe your symptoms and will usually ask if you have any burning or pain.

Since some vein problems are deeper than others and can’t be detected by the naked eye, vein doctors often use ultrasound imaging to look for blood clots or weakened valves and to evaluate how the blood is flowing through your veins.

Recommend the Best Treatment

After vein doctors have diagnosed your condition, the next step is for them to recommend the most appropriate treatment. Treatment depends on the severity of your vein issue and on what you would like to get from  it. For example, if you are dealing with small spider veins, treatment with sclerotherapy might work best.  Depending on the location of your varicose veins, a treatment such as ovarian vein embolization might be required.  Ovarian vein embolization is usually performed when a person is suffering from pelvic congestion syndrome, which occurs when varicose veins form in the uterus or ovaries.

The right treatment for you also depends on how long you can commit to recovery. Many vein treatments don’t require much downtime and allow you to return to work the next day. Depending on the vein treatment, you might need to go in for several sessions before you get the results you want.

Help You Make Lifestyle Changes

Along with performing necessary treatments, the doctors at a vein clinic can recommend lifestyle changes to keep your vein problems from becoming worse. For example, adding exercises to your daily routine can help keep varicose veins in check. Exercise improves blood flow and strengthens your muscles so that they are better able to push blood back up to the heart. Losing weight, if you are overweight, can also help keep your vein problems from becoming worse.

Dr. Raffi Krikorian offers a variety of vein treatments at St. Louis Vein & Endovascular in St. Louis. To learn more about your options and to learn more about how a vein doctor can help you, call (314) 272-4150 for a consultation today.

The Most Recent Spider Vein Treatment Options

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Spider veins might be small, but for someone bothered by their appearance, the impact on self-confidence is often significant.  Vascular surgeons have used various therapies involving injections, lasers, and heat to get rid of these unwanted blood vessels.  Fortunately, spider vein treatment options today are more convenient than ever.

What Exactly Are Spider Veins?

They are are small red or blue blood vessels that most often form on the legs or face.  While some consider them a kind of varicose veins, others say they are similar but distinctive.

These abnormal vessels form when pressure in a vein enlarges it.  Typically smaller than varicose veins, they are usually closer to the surface of the skin.  Their name comes from their weblike appearance.

The Cleveland Clinic reports that between 30 to 50 percent of American adults develop spider or varicose veins.

How Do Vein Doctors Currently Treat Them?

Today vascular surgeons perform outpatient treatments for spider veins in a vein clinic.  The two most common options used are sclerotherapy and VeinGogh Ohmic Thermolysis.

Sclerotherapy for spider veins

Overall, healthcare providers still consider sclerotherapy the gold standard for getting rid of spider veins.  According to Stony Brook Medicine, surgeons also use this minimally invasive procedure as a varicose vein treatment.  Although it usually does not eliminate all a patient’s spider veins in one session, most individuals see an improvement of 50 to 90 percent after a treatment.  Many require four to six treatments for optimal results.

Sclerotherapy involves injecting a specially manufactured substance directly into each targeted spider vein.  The injected solution or foam sclerosant irritates a vein’s walls, causing them to become sticky and eventually close.  After destruction of the vein, the vessel disappears, and neighboring veins take over its workload.

Many physicians today prefer using ultrasound guided sclerotherapy.  The Cleveland Clinic reports that this involves injecting a foaming agent that has been mixed with a sclerosant.  Ultrasound technology allows the surgeon to guide the injection into veins that are not easy to see on the skin’s surface.  Doctors sometimes combine ultrasound technology with other procedures to remove spider veins such as radiofrequency ablation.

VeinGogh Ohmic Thermolysis

Physicians also use this procedure to treat vascular problems such as cherry hemangiomas, rosacea, and skin tags.  Considered an alternative to light-based treatments, it utilizes a thin, insulated probe.  Heat transferred through the probe coagulates spider veins.

VeinGogh is appropriate for veins up to 0.3 mm, such as those found on the face.  For larger vessels, vein doctors often use the procedure with sclerotherapy.

Results from this treatment are immediate.  Most patients require up to three procedures for the best possible outcome.

When considering treatment options, it is important to realize that no procedure will prevent the formation of new spider veins.  For that reason, many patients return for periodic treatment.

 

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