21, 2, 2023

Cosmetic Sclerotherapy

2023-01-14T13:33:03-08:00

Sclerotherapy Treatment for Spider Veins

You have been recommended to have sclerotherapy injections. Spider veins and reticular veins of the legs are most commonly treated with sclerotherapy. Sclerotherapy involves an injection of a medication into the vein.  This will cause the vein to collapse and gradually fade away. Sclerotherapy has been used to treat spider veins for decades, but newer solutions such as AscleraTM allow for spider veins to be treated with minimal discomfort and immediate return to activities. Vein specialists rarely use saline solutions these days, because alternative solutions are less painful and better tolerated. Sclerotherapy is preferred by most vein specialists over laser because spider veins often have underlying 'feeder veins' that can easily be treated with sclerotherapy, but are not addressed by laser. Many people will require more than one treatment session for optimal results. The national average is 2 to 5 treatment sessions. Treatment sessions are often spaced a month apart, but your health care provider will help determine your customized care plan. Wearing compression stockings after treatment will improve results.

For larger veins, the medication may be turned into a foam, this is referred to as foam sclerotherapy. Foam sclerotherapy is similar to sclerotherapy of spider veins but instead of a liquid solution, a foamed-solution is injected directly into the vein via a small needle. The solution can be seen on ultrasound monitoring which allows it to be directed into nearby varicose veins painlessly. The veins will seal shut, and gradually be broken down by the body.

"Bringing Experts Together for Unparalleled Vein and Vascular Care"

La Jolla Vein & Vascular (formerly La Jolla Vein Care) is committed to bringing experts together for unparalleled vein and vascular care. 

Nisha Bunke, MD, Sarah Lucas, MD, and Elliot DeYoung, MD are specialists who combine their experience and expertise to offer world-class vascular care. 

Our accredited center is also a nationally known teaching site and center of excellence. 

For more information on treatments and to book a consultation, please give our office a call at 858-550-0330. 

For a deeper dive into vein and vascular care, please check out our Youtube Channel at this link.

For more information on varicose veins and eliminating underlying venous insufficiency, check this link out full of resources. 

Please follow our social media Instagram Profile and Tik Tok Profile for more fun videos and educational information. 

Cosmetic Sclerotherapy2023-01-14T13:33:03-08:00

Patient Transformation from venous disease: varicose veins

2023-01-14T13:22:52-08:00

What are varicose veins?

Varicose veins (venous disease) are the twisted, bulging veins just beneath the surface of the skin. Varicose veins are swollen, twisted veins that you can see just under the surface of the skin. These veins usually occur in the legs, but they also can form in other parts of the body. Varicose veins are a common condition with venous disease.

What causes varicose veins?

Varicose veins are caused by leaky vein valves, which allow blood to pool within the veins causing them to stretch and become enlarged. Varicose veins can be an isolated finding, but the majority of the time, they are caused by underlying venous reflux disease. Venous reflux disease is also known as venous stasis, venous insufficiency or venous incompetence. Reflux may occur in the deep and/or superficial leg veins.

In our study, led by Dr. Nisha Bunke and published in the Journal of Vascular Ultrasound in 2018, we studied over 1,000 legs with varicose veins. Over 90% of the time, the source of the varicose veins were the great and small saphenous veins. The Great Saphenous Vein (GSV) courses up the middle of the thigh and calf and the small saphenous vein (SSV), which courses along the back of the calf. Normally, there are one-way valves within the leg veins, which help blood flow in one direction: toward the heart. This means blood is traveling against gravity. The calf muscle also helps move blood toward the heart. When vein valves are leaky, blood flows backward (reflux) towards the feet. Blood pools in the lower legs, causing bulging veins at the surface. 

La Jolla Vein & Vascular Before and After Transformations:

venous 7 BA VV varicose 21after fotor 8 BA VV varicose 26after fotor 9 BA VV varicose 121914 1 fotor scaled 1

At La Jolla Vein & Vascular, we are here for our patients from beginning to the end. We love seeing the transformations that take place. Below are a few cases from our patient transformations from before varicose vein treatment to after varicose vein treatment. 

"Bringing Experts Together for Unparalleled Vein and Vascular Care"

La Jolla Vein & Vascular (formerly La Jolla Vein Care) is committed to bringing experts together for unparalleled vein and vascular care. 

Nisha Bunke, MD, Sarah Lucas, MD, and Elliot DeYoung, MD are specialists who combine their experience and expertise to offer world-class vascular care. 

Our accredited center is also a nationally known teaching site and center of excellence. 

For more information on treatments and to book a consultation, please give our office a call at 858-550-0330. 

For a deeper dive into vein and vascular care, please check out our Youtube Channel at this link.

For more information on varicose veins and eliminating underlying venous insufficiency, check this link out full of resources. 

Please follow our social media Instagram Profile and Tik Tok Profile for more fun videos and educational information. 

Patient Transformation from venous disease: varicose veins2023-01-14T13:22:52-08:00

Uterine Fibroids 101

2023-01-14T13:17:33-08:00

Millions of women around the world are affected by the development of uterine fibroids each year. While it is not a life-threatening condition in itself, the symptoms and potential complications that come with it make it such a pressing medical concern for affected individuals.

As only women will usually possess a uterus, it follows that only women are afflicted by this ailment, which is why gynecologists will often be the first ones to make a definite diagnosis. As with so many medical emergencies, knowing the problem early will greatly increase the chances of beating it, which is why the professionals at La Jolla Vein & Vascular are dedicated to administering reliable, accurate, and entirely effective diagnostics, therapies, and treatments to all clients coming through our doors.

Let's take a closer look at what exactly we will be dealing with should uterine fibroids turn out to be the issue at hand.

What are uterine fibroids? 

To understand what uterine fibroids are, the first thing one should do is separate the two terms making up the condition. A fibroid is a term to refer to a type of tumor that has 'muscular' characteristics. They are also referred to as a leiomyoma and can appear singularly or in formations or in lumps. 

They are known as uterine fibroids since they will appear in the patient's uterus. Although they are not cancerous in almost all instances, they will range in size from patient to patient, from as small as an apple seed to as large as a grapefruit and beyond, in some unusual instances. 

It is important for all women to be aware of the dangers presented by uterine fibroids, not only owing to the potential harm that the condition might bring about but due to the high rate of prevalence among the female population affected in some way. By the time they are 50 years old, it is estimated between 20 to 80 percent of women will have developed uterine fibroids, with most cases affecting the 40's to early 50's. 

Symptoms to look out for: 

Fibroids go undiscovered in most patients due to the lack of symptoms accompanying them, but some patients will experience some symptoms, including:

  • Frequent urination due to pressure being exerted on the patient's bladder
  • Lower back pain
  • Pain during sexual intercourse
  • Enlargement of the lower abdomen, with severe and extremely rare instances causing the appearance of apparent pregnancy in the patient where none exists
  • Heavy bleeding and/or painful bleeding during periods sometimes resulting in a medically significant depletion of blood in the patient (anemia)
  • Greatly increased risks of complication during pregnancy and delivery, with uterine fibroid patients requiring cesarean sections at six times the average rate.
  • Reproductive health problems such as infertility are very rare outcomes.

"Bringing Experts Together for Unparalleled Vein and Vascular Care"

La Jolla Vein & Vascular (formerly La Jolla Vein Care) is committed to bringing experts together for unparalleled vein and vascular care. 

Nisha Bunke, MD, Sarah Lucas, MD, and Elliot DeYoung, MD are specialists who combine their experience and expertise to offer world-class vascular care. 

Our accredited center is also a nationally known teaching site and center of excellence. 

For more information on treatments and to book a consultation, please give our office a call at 858-550-0330. 

For a deeper dive into vein and vascular care, please check out our Youtube Channel at this link.

For more information on varicose veins and eliminating underlying venous insufficiency, check this link out full of resources. 

Please follow our social media Instagram Profile and Tik Tok Profile for more fun videos and educational information. 

Uterine Fibroids 1012023-01-14T13:17:33-08:00

Peripheral Arterial Disease Signs

2023-02-20T18:07:22-08:00

Peripheral Arterial Disease – Symptoms

The most common symptom of Peripheral arterial disease is claudication. The fat and cholesterol build up on the artery walls cause a lack of blood flow, causing a condition referred to as ischemia. Ischemia is a condition that results when there is a greater demand for oxygen than the supply.

Claudication is a condition that causes cramping in the legs and buttocks. As mentioned, the pain and clamping flares up when you start to walk and subsides when you rest. Intermittent claudication affects about 50 percent of individuals suffering from peripheral artery disease. Some of the other common symptoms include loss of hair around the ankles, numbness or coldness in your feet.

Pain and cramping while walking may lead to a more sedentary lifestyle, meaning that the individual will burn few calories and add weight. An increase in weight also increases cholesterol, blood pressure, and other heart disease risk factors. The claudication severity often varies from mild discomfort to debilitating pain, making it hard for you to walk or perform other types of physical activities. 

Other common symptoms of the peripheral arterial disease include;

  • In extreme cases, an open wound or ulcer occurs on your toes or feet. These extreme cases lead to non-healing ulcers. The ulcer can progress to gangrene, making it hard for you to walk. In such a scenario, immediate medical attention is necessary.
  • Weakness or numbness in your legs
  • Coldness in your lower feet, especially when you find one foot is colder than the other one.
  • Experiencing pain in your feet or toes while you are resting
  • Sores on the legs, feet, and toes that do not heal
  • Slower toenails growth
  • Change in the color of your feet
  • Erectile dysfunction in men can be treated by prostate arterial embolization (PAE), which also treats benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
  • Weak pulse in your feet or legs
  • Developing shiny skin on your legs
  • Having pain in your arms, especially when writing, knitting, or performing manual tasks

As the peripheral disease progresses, you may start to experience pain even when you are lying down. In extreme cases, the pain becomes intense enough to distract your sleep. Resting your legs by hanging them at your bed edge or walking around the room helps stimulate blood flow, relieving the pain temporarily.

 

"Bringing Experts Together for Unparalleled Vein and Vascular Care"

La Jolla Vein & Vascular (formerly La Jolla Vein Care) is committed to bringing experts together for unparalleled vein and vascular care. 

Nisha Bunke, MD, Sarah Lucas, MD, and Elliot DeYoung, MD are specialists who combine their experience and expertise to offer world-class vascular care. 

Our accredited center is also a nationally known teaching site and center of excellence. 

For more information on treatments and to book a consultation, please give our office a call at 858-550-0330. 

For a deeper dive into vein and vascular care, please check out our Youtube Channel at this link.

For more information on varicose veins and eliminating underlying venous insufficiency, check this link out full of resources. 

Please follow our social media Instagram Profile and Tik Tok Profile for more fun videos and educational information. 

Peripheral Arterial Disease Signs2023-02-20T18:07:22-08:00

26, 1, 2023

Understanding Vein Disease

2023-01-14T13:09:15-08:00

What is Venous Reflux Disease?

Venous reflux disease of the veins is also known as venous stasis, venous insufficiency or venous incompetence. Venous reflux disease refers to 'leaky valves' in the legs. 

Reflux may occur in the deep and/or superficial leg veins. Those located in the deep are those within the muscle; they bring at least 80-90% of the blood from the legs back to the heart. Those located in the superficial area outside the muscle and under the skin. The main superficial veins are the Great Saphenous that courses up the middle of the thigh and calf and small saphenous vein. Normally, there are one-way valves within the leg veins, which help blood flow in one direction: toward the heart. This means blood is traveling against gravity. The calf muscle also helps move blood toward the heart. When vein valves are leaky, blood flows backward (reflux) towards the feet. Blood pools in the lower legs, causing bulging veins at the surface. 

Symptoms of Venous Reflux Disease:

Symptoms of venous reflux disease include; leg heaviness, leg fatigue, leg pain, ankle swelling, phlebitis (inflamed and painful veins), restless legs at night, and night cramps. Venous reflux disease is progressive and worsens over time. Skin changes may also develop, including darkening of the skin around the ankles. The darkening of the skin is sometimes referred to as venous stasis skin changes. The skin can become dry and itchy (venous eczema). Eventually, the skin can break down causing a wound, called a venous leg ulcer. All of which are possible symptoms of venous reflux disease to look out for. 

What influences the development of Venous Reflux Disease?

A patient is more likely to develop venous reflux disease if they are:

  • Overweight
  • Pregnant
  • Have a family history of vein disease
  • Have damage to the leg due to injury, surgery, or previous blood clots
  • High blood pressure
  • Lack of exercise
  • Smoking
  • A blood clot in a deep vein (calf or thigh) "deep vein thrombosis" 
  • Swelling and inflammation of a vein close to the skin, known as "phlebitis"

How is Venous Reflux Disease Diagnosed? 

In addition to physical exam findings and medical history, an ultrasound examination is an important tool in the assessment of venous disease. Not all venous disease is visible to the naked eye, and it usually arises beneath the surface of the skin, only visible by ultrasound technology. 

The ultrasound allows us to see if the valves are leaky; it can detect the direction of blood flow and also detects blockages for example from blood clots or scars within the veins from previous clots. The ultrasound will determine exactly which veins are "bad" or incompetent. Reflux may be detected in the deep veins (within the muscle), the great and small saphenous veins, and /or branches of the saphenous veins. This will help determine the treatment plan. 

"Bringing Experts Together for Unparalleled Venous and Vascular Care"

La Jolla Vein & Vascular (formerly La Jolla Vein Care) is committed to bringing experts together for unparalleled venous and vascular care. 

Nisha Bunke, MD, Sarah Lucas, MD, and Elliot DeYoung, MD are specialists who combine their experience and expertise to offer world-class vascular care. 

Our accredited center is also a nationally known teaching site and center of excellence. 

For more information on treatments and to book a consultation, please give our office a call at 858-550-0330. 

For a deeper dive into venous and vascular care, please check out our Youtube Channel at this link.

For more information on varicose veins and eliminating underlying venous insufficiency, check this link out full of resources. 

Please follow our social media Instagram Profile and Tik Tok Profile for more fun videos and educational information. 

Understanding Vein Disease2023-01-14T13:09:15-08:00

Leg Pain: What can be causing it?

2023-01-14T13:07:18-08:00

Concerned about Leg Pain?

We evaluate and treat leg pain that is related to poor circulation, varicose veins and blood clots. These are all vascular conditions. However, there are numerous causes of non-vascular leg pain including injuries in the joints, bones, muscles or ligaments. Arthritis can also cause leg pain. Low back pain can radiate to the legs and also cause pain. It is always important to have a thorough evaluation by your doctor to determine the correct cause.

Causes of Leg Pain

  • Injuries in the joints, bones, muscles, or ligaments
  • Arthritis
  • Low back pain radiating to the legs

"Bringing Experts Together for Unparalleled Vein and Vascular Care"

La Jolla Vein & Vascular (formerly La Jolla Vein Care) is committed to bringing experts together for unparalleled vein and vascular care. 

Nisha Bunke, MD, Sarah Lucas, MD, and Elliot DeYoung, MD are specialists who combine their experience and expertise to offer world-class vascular care. 

Our accredited center is also a nationally known teaching site and center of excellence. 

For more information on treatments and to book a consultation, please give our office a call at 858-550-0330. 

For a deeper dive into vein and vascular care, please check out our Youtube Channel at this link.

For more information on varicose veins and eliminating underlying venous insufficiency, check this link out full of resources. 

Please follow our social media Instagram Profile and Tik Tok Profile for more fun videos and educational information. 

Leg Pain: What can be causing it?2023-01-14T13:07:18-08:00

Deep Vein Thrombosis

2023-01-14T12:56:07-08:00

What do Serena Williams, Richard Nixon, Dan Quayle, Dick Cheney and David Bloom have in common? They have all suffered a potentially fatal deep venous thrombosis (DVT).

Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) mainly affects the large veins in the lower leg and thigh. The clot can block blood flow and cause swelling and pain. When a clot breaks off and moves through the bloodstream, this is called an embolism. An embolism can get stuck in the brain, lungs, heart, or another area, leading to severe damage.

Blood clots may form when something slows or changes the flow of blood in the veins which then becomes deep vein thrombosis. Risk factors include:

  • After a pacemaker catheter has been passed through the vein in the groin
  • Bedrest
  • Cigarette smoking
  • Family history of blood clots
  • Fractures in the pelvis or legs
  • Giving birth within the last 6 months
  • Heart failure
  • Obesity
  • Recent surgery (especially hip, knee, or female pelvic surgery)
  • Too many blood cells being made by the bone marrow (polycythemia vera), causing the blood to be thicker and slower than normal

You're also more likely to develop DVT if you have any of the following conditions:

  • Blood that is more likely to clot (hypercoagulability)
  • Cancer
  • Taking estrogens or birth control pills.
  • Long airplane flights: London's Heathrow Airport reports one passenger death a month from DVT. One nearby hospital recorded thirty passenger deaths from DVT in the past three years including a 28-year-old man. To reduce the risk of DVT during air travel,  passengers are advised to wear compression stockings on flights, frequently moving around the cabin and pumping the calf muscles, leg elevation and avoidance of sedentary positions for long periods of time without moving.

"Bringing Experts Together for Unparalleled Vein and Vascular Care"

La Jolla Vein & Vascular (formerly La Jolla Vein Care) is committed to bringing experts together for unparalleled vein and vascular care. 

Nisha Bunke, MD, Sarah Lucas, MD, and Elliot DeYoung, MD are specialists who combine their experience and expertise to offer world-class vascular care. 

Our accredited center is also a nationally known teaching site and center of excellence. 

For more information on treatments and to book a consultation, please give our office a call at 858-550-0330. 

For a deeper dive into vein and vascular care, please check out our Youtube Channel at this link.

For more information on varicose veins and eliminating underlying venous insufficiency, check this link out full of resources. 

Please follow our social media Instagram Profile and Tik Tok Profile for more fun videos and educational information. 

Deep Vein Thrombosis2023-01-14T12:56:07-08:00

Patient Transformations from venous disease: varicose veins

2023-01-14T12:52:41-08:00

What are varicose veins (venous disease)?

Varicose veins (venous disease) are the twisted, bulging veins just beneath the surface of the skin. Varicose veins are swollen, twisted veins that you can see just under the surface of the skin. These veins usually occur in the legs, but they also can form in other parts of the body. Varicose veins are a common condition.

What causes varicose veins?

Varicose veins are caused by leaky vein valves, which allow blood to pool within the veins causing them to stretch and become enlarged. Varicose veins can be an isolated finding, but the majority of the time, they are caused by underlying venous reflux disease. Venous reflux disease is also known as venous stasis, venous insufficiency or venous incompetence. Reflux may occur in the deep and/or superficial leg veins.

In our study, led by Dr. Nisha Bunke and published in the Journal of Vascular Ultrasound in 2018, we studied over 1,000 legs with varicose veins. Over 90% of the time, the source of the varicose veins were the great and small saphenous veins. The Great Saphenous Vein (GSV) courses up the middle of the thigh and calf and the small saphenous vein (SSV), which courses along the back of the calf. Normally, there are one-way valves within the leg veins, which help blood flow in one direction: toward the heart. This means blood is traveling against gravity. The calf muscle also helps move blood toward the heart. When vein valves are leaky, blood flows backward (reflux) towards the feet. Blood pools in the lower legs, causing bulging veins at the surface. 

La Jolla Vein & Vascular Before and After Transformations:

venousvenousvenous

At La Jolla Vein & Vascular, we are here for our patients from beginning to the end. We love seeing the transformations from venous disease that take place. Below are a few cases from our patient transformations from before varicose vein treatment to after varicose vein treatment. 

"Bringing Experts Together for Unparalleled Venous and Vascular Care"

La Jolla Vein & Vascular (formerly La Jolla Vein Care) is committed to bringing experts together for unparalleled vein and vascular care. 

Nisha Bunke, MD, Sarah Lucas, MD, and Elliot DeYoung, MD are specialists who combine their experience and expertise to offer world-class vascular care. 

Our accredited center is also a nationally known teaching site and center of excellence. 

For more information on treatments and to book a consultation, please give our office a call at 858-550-0330. 

For a deeper dive into vein and vascular care, please check out our Youtube Channel at this link.

For more information on varicose veins and eliminating underlying venous insufficiency, check this link out full of resources. 

Please follow our social media Instagram Profile and Tik Tok Profile for more fun videos and educational information. 

Patient Transformations from venous disease: varicose veins2023-01-14T12:52:41-08:00

Spider Veins & Treatment

2022-12-26T11:48:20-08:00

One of the most commonly used ways to treat spider veins is through a procedure called Sclerotherapy. At La Jolla Vein and Vascular we have seen great patient transformations with this type of therapy. If you are interested in knowing if you have spider veins, check this article out. 

Sclerotherapy

Why was I recommended to have sclerotherapy injections?

Spider veins and reticular veins of the legs are most commonly treated with sclerotherapy. Sclerotherapy involves an injection of a medication into the vein. This will cause the vein to collapse and gradually fade away. Sclerotherapy has been used to treat spider veins for decades, but newer solutions such as Asclera allow for spider veins to be treated with minimal discomfort and immediate return to activities. 

Vein specialists rarely use saline solutions these days, because alternative solutions are less painful and better tolerated. Sclerotherapy is preferred by most vein specialists over laser because spider veins often have underlying feeder veins that can easily be treated with sclerotherapy, but are not addressed by laser. Many people will require more than one treatment session for optimal results. The national average is 2 to 5 treatment sessions. Treatment sessions are often spaced a month apart, but your health care provider will help determine your customized care plan. Wearing compression stockings after treatment will improve results. 

For larger veins, the medication may be turned into a foam, this is referred to as foam sclerotherapy. Foam sclerotherapy is similar to sclerotherapy of spider veins but instead of a liquid solution, a foamed-solution is injected directly into the vein via a small needle. The solution can be seen on ultrasound monitoring which allows it to be directed into nearby varicose veins painlessly. The veins will seal shut, and gradually be broken down by the body. 

What should I expect on my treatment days?

You will sign your consent form then change into shorts provided by the office. We will clean your skin with alcohol. The sclerosant medication will then be injected into your veins with a fine needle. After your treatment, we will help you into your compression stockings, then you will walk for 30 minutes prior to getting into your car. It is normal for your legs to be achy and tender to the touch after treatment. 

What should I do after treatment? 

You will be instructed on how long to wear compression stockings after treatment, depending on the size of the veins that are treated. Most patients wear thigh-high compression stockings continuously for 1-3 days, then another 7 days. You may shower with the stockings on or take a quick cool shower with them off. 

You should walk 30 minutes twice daily after treatment and move your legs frequently throughout the day with short walks and/or calf exercises. This avoids pooling of blood in the legs. Avoid prolonged sitting during the day. 

It is normal to have aching in the treated veins. This responds well to walking, ice packs, and anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve). 

What should I avoid after treatment? 

For at least two weeks after treatment, you should avoid strenuous exercise (anything more than a brisk walk), heavy lifting, saunas or hot tubs, and leg massages. All of these dilate the superficial veins and interfere with their healing. You should also avoid airline travel for two weeks after treatment. 

What are the possible side effects?

You will likely have some bruising over the injection sites, then the treated veins may become firm and blue. 

The skin overlying treated veins may also develop brownish hyperpigmentation as the blood products within those veins are absorbed by the body; in some patients it can take up to a year to fade. Some patients temporarily develop some very fine, pink spider veins in areas where veins have been treated (telangiectatic matting). These usually resolve spontaneously over several weeks but occasionally require additional treatment to clear. If you notice the spider veins have not gone away after treatment, this information may be helpful for you. 

“Bringing Experts Together for Unparalleled Vein and Vascular Care”

 

La Jolla Vein & Vascular (formerly La Jolla Vein Care) is committed to bringing experts together for unparalleled vein and vascular care. 

 

Nisha Bunke, MD, Sarah Lucas, MD, and Elliot DeYoung, MD are specialists who combine their experience and expertise to offer world-class vascular care. 

 

Our accredited center is also a nationally known teaching site and center of excellence. 

For more information on treatments and to book a consultation, please give our office a call at 858-550-0330. 

 

For a deeper dive into vein and vascular care, please check out our Youtube Channel at this link.

 

For more information on varicose veins and eliminating underlying venous insufficiency, check this link out full of resources. 

Please follow our social media Instagram Profile and Tik Tok Profile for more fun videos and educational information. 

 

Spider Veins & Treatment2022-12-26T11:48:20-08:00

Meet our team of vein & vascular specialists: Dr Bunke

2022-12-26T10:53:06-08:00

Our vein specialists are not your average doctors.  They train and teach other doctors, medical students, physician assistants, and empower and educate patients everyday with knowledge and choices.  They lead clinical research studies and contribute to scientific journal and textbook publications.  Our recent research made the cover of the “Journal for Vascular Ultrasound” in March, 2018.  Our doctors continuously strive to elevate the standard in vein care- they are fellowship-trained, board certified in venous and lymphatic disease, and earned additional credentials in ultrasound interpretation to provide comprehensive vein care for all patients.

 

Nisha Bunke, MD FACPh, RPhS

Venous Disease Interventionist, Vein Clinic Medical Director

vein

Dr. Nisha Bunke was the first physician in the United States to complete fellowship training supported by the American Vein and Lymphatic Society (formerly known as the American College of Phlebology) in 2008 and is a diplomate of the American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine. Over the past decade, Dr. Bunke has dedicated her career to treating patients with venous and lymphatic conditions and advancing the field of vein care.

Being inspired by her mentor, world-renowned vascular surgeon, Dr. John Bergan, who emphasized that venous disease is a special condition that requires specialized care, she founded La Jolla Vein Care in 2010. Under her leadership, La Jolla Vein Care was awarded accreditation in Vein Clinic and Vascular Testing by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC). La Jolla Vein Care is the first dedicated vein care facility in the region to earn this distinction.

Prior to turning her complete attention to La Jolla Vein Care, she has held appointments as a Volunteer Clinical Instructor of Surgery at the University of California San Diego (UCSD) School of Medicine, and Veterans (VA) Medical Center.  In addition to these duties, for five years, Dr. Bunke managed the vein clinics at the VA Medical Center La Jolla, providing vein care for our veterans.  She was also a physician at UCSD Healthcare System’s Department of Vascular Surgery, where she evaluated and treated patients with venous disease.

Dr. Bunke is a physician and scientist, actively leading clinical research studies.  In 2009, Dr. Bunke was awarded the International Union of Phlebologie Research Fellowship and the Best Young Presenter Award in Monaco.  Collectively, Dr. Bunke and Dr. Bergan were awarded the 2008 JOBST Research Award for the Advancement of Phlebology for their research on Inflammatory Biomarkers of Venous Insufficiency. Dr. Bunke also developed Recova, a post-surgery recovery cream.

Dr. Bunke has been named as a finalist by the San Diego Business Journal’s Women Who Mean Business Award and San Diego Magazine’s Woman of the Year award.  In 2018, she was named as the top 25  Women of the Year by the San Diego Business Journal.

Dr. Bunke’s Affiliations

Moreover, Dr. Bunke is a member of the Scripps Ximed Medical Group, The Clinical and Translational Research Institute (CTRI) of the University of California San Diego (UCSD), the American Medical Association (AMA), San Diego County Medical Society, Society for Vascular Medicine, American Vein and Lymphatic Society, American Venous Forum (AVF) and the Society for Vascular Ultrasound (SVU). Dr. Bunke has numerous publications in both scientific journals and medical textbooks.

Dr. Bunke is co-editor of the most widely used textbook for vascular physicians, “The Vein Book”

vein

Books/ Book Chapters: Dr. Nisha Bunke

Bergan, JJ, Bunke, N. “Outcome Measures in Venous Disease.” In:  Fast Facts- Vascular and Endovascular Surgery Highlights 2008-09.  Davies, A., Mitchell, A. M. Health Press UK

Bergan, JJ. Bunke, N.  “Varicose Veins and Chronic Venous Insufficiency.” In: Total Endovascular Series Venous Diseases Contemporary Management.’ Lumsden, A, Davies, M.

Bergan, JJ, Bunke, N.  “Venous Disorders.”  In:  Educational Review Manual in General Surgery. 8th Edition. Castle Connolly Graduate Medical Publishing.

Bergan, JJ, Bunke, N. “Pathophysiology of Chronic Venous Disease.”  In:  The European Venous Course Book.

Bergan JJ, Bunke, N. “Endovenous Procedures in Venous Disease.”  In:  Peripheral Endovascular Interventions.  White, R, Fogarty, T.  3rd Ed.

Bergan, JJ, Pascarella, L, Bunke, N. “Venous Anatomy, Physiology and Pathophysiology.”  In: Treatment of Leg Veins, 2nd ed.  Alam, M., Silapunt, S. Martin Mellor Publishing Ltd. UK

Bergan, J. Lee, BB, Bunke N.  “Lymphatic Disease.”  In: Clinical Review of Vascular Surgery. Edited by Sapan Desai, MD, PhD and Cynthia Shortell, MD.

Bergan, J. and Bunke, N. General Considerations. In: Lymphedema: A Concise Compendium of Theory and Practice. Edited by Byung-Boong Lee, John Bergan, Stanley G. Rockson 2011.

Bergan, JJ, Bunke-Paquette, N, editors. The Vein Book, 2nd edition. Oxford University Press, New York, NY USA. 2014

Bunke-Paquette, N. “Complications of Liquid Sclerotherapy.” In: The Vein Book, 2nd ed. Bergan, JJ, Bunke-Paquette, N. Oxford University Press, New York, NY USA. 2014

Loerzel, N, Ratcliff V, Bunke-Paquette, N, et al. “Ultrasound Examination of the Patient with Primary Venous Insufficiency.” In: The Vein Book, 2nd ed. Bergan, JJ, Bunke-Paquette, N. Oxford University Press, New York, NY USA. 2014

Bunke-Paquette, N, Loerzel, N, Bergan, JJ. “Ultrasound-Guided Catheter and Foam Therapy for Venous Insufficiency.’ In: The Vein Book, 2nd ed. Bergan, JJ, Bunke- Paquette, N. Oxford University Press, New York, NY USA. 2014

Bergan, JJ, Pascarella, L, Bunke-Paquette, N. “Perforating Veins.” In: The Vein Book, 2nd ed. Bergan, JJ, Bunke-Paquette, N. Oxford University Press, New York, NY USA. 2014

Bunke-Paquette, N. Russell, T, Broder, K, Li, A. “Medical Management of the Venous Leg Ulcer.” In: The Vein Book, 2nd ed. Bergan, JJ, Bunke-Paquette, N. Oxford University Press, New York, NY USA. 2014

Peer-Reviewed Journals

Bunke N, Brown K, Bergan J. Foam sclerotherapy: techniques and uses. Perspect Vasc Surg Endovasc Ther. 2009 Jun;21(2):91-3

Bunke N, Brown K, Bergan J. Phlebolymphemeda: usually unrecognized, often poorly treated. Perspect Vasc Surg Endovasc Ther. 2009 Jun;21(2):65

B.B. Lee, M. Andrade, P.L. Antignani,F. Boccardo, N. Bunke, et. al. Guidelines: Diagnosis and treatment of primary lymphedema consensus document of the international union of phlebology (IUP)-2013. International Angiology. 2013 Dec: (32): 541-574

“Bringing Experts Together for Unparalleled Vein and Vascular Care”

 

La Jolla Vein & Vascular (formerly La Jolla Vein Care) is committed to bringing experts together for unparalleled vein and vascular care. 

 

Nisha Bunke, MD, Sarah Lucas, MD, and Elliot DeYoung, MD are specialists who combine their experience and expertise to offer world-class vascular care. 

 

Our accredited center is also a nationally known teaching site and center of excellence. 

For more information on treatments and to book a consultation, please give our office a call at 858-550-0330. 

 

For a deeper dive into vein and vascular care, please check out our Youtube Channel at this link.

 

For more information on varicose veins and eliminating underlying venous insufficiency, check this link out full of resources. 

Please follow our social media Instagram Profile and Tik Tok Profile for more fun videos and educational information. 


Meet our team of vein & vascular specialists: Dr Bunke2022-12-26T10:53:06-08:00
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CONTACT INFORMATION

La Jolla/UTC

Vista

Patient Privacy Practices

Privacy Policy

Hippa Privacy Practices
HIPAAOneTM Certified Seal 2

Use the search features below to find articles and insights for the diagnosis and treatment of vascular disease

TWO CONVENIENT LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT SAN DIEGO

La Jolla/ UTC

North County San Diego/ Vista — Endovascular Center
Now Open! Call/Text for Appointments

© Copyright 2010-2024, La Jolla Vein & Vascular | All Rights Reserved

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