Tech for Your Health
This minimally invasive procedure can treat diseased veins.
Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is a form of venous disease that occurs when the valves in the leg veins stop working properly, allowing blood to pool in the lower legs rather than flowing to the heart. This can cause symptoms such as aching or pain, swelling, heaviness, restlessness, and varicose veins. According to the Cleveland Clinic, CVI affects
1 in 20 adults, primarily those over 50.
Traditionally, diseased veins are sealed off with heat through a process called thermal ablation, however advances in technology have provided a new, nonthermal alternative.
VenaSeal by Medtronic is an innovative, FDA-approved closure system that uses a specially formulated medical adhesive to close the affected vein, redirecting blood flow to healthy veins and relieving symptoms.
How Does It Work?
VenaSeal is a minimally invasive, outpatient procedure that involves little to no discomfort. First, the site where the vein will be accessed is numbed using local anesthetic. A catheter is then inserted into the leg through a small access site, guided by ultrasound imaging, where it will deliver medical adhesive to the diseased vein. Light external pressure is then applied to adhere the vein walls together, effectively sealing off the vein. The catheter is then removed, and the procedure is complete. Patients are able to return to normal activities the same or next day.
The Benefits of the VenaSeal
VenaSeal offers lasting results, with one study reporting a 94.6% closure rate at five years following the procedure. Compared to thermal ablation, it offers a faster recovery time, reduced need for anesthesia, less discomfort, only one needle stick, and no requirement for compression socks following treatment.
An Expert Weighs In
Meet the Author
Rachel Studebaker, BA, English, Summa Cum Laude
Rachel Studebaker is a graduate of Lee University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in advertising with the distinction of summa cum laude and served as editor-in-chief of the university’s biannual magazine, The Vindagua. After graduation, Rachel joined CMC Media & Marketing Group as an editor. Today, she serves as managing editor and is responsible for leading the editorial team in the development and completion of content for 17 publications involving health & wellness, business, sports, and lifestyle published in print and online for HealthScope® and CityScope® magazines as well as Choose Chattanooga® and Choose Huntsville™ – premier publications serving Southeast Tennessee, North Georgia, and North Alabama. In addition to writing, editing, and coordinating copy, Rachel oversees networking and reputation management for the company’s publications. In her free time, she enjoys reading, hiking, attending concerts, trying new restaurants, and traveling with her husband.
