Chemical Ablation: Varithena
Varithena (polidocanol injectable foam)
is a prescription medication used to treat the great saphenous vein system (GSV) and associated varicose veins of the GSV system. Varithena improves the symptoms of superficial venous incompetence and the appearance of visible varicosities. It is a non-thermal, non-tumescent, nearly painless method of vein treatment.
WHAT IS VARITHENA?
Foam Sclerotherapy
Varithena is a “microfoam” formulation of polidocanol (sclerosing agent) and CO2.
The result is a microfoam that has an appearance and consistency similar to white, foamy shave cream.
Ultrasound guidance is used to inject Varithena® microfoam into the vein. The microfoam fills the lumen for circumferential
contact where it’s designed to displace blood and destroy the endothelial lining efficiently.
Varithena® may be recommended based on your vein location, size, anatomy and vein tortuosity.
Varithena® is:
- Effective to treat veins of different sizes above and below the knee
- Requires no incisions, sedation or general anesthesia
- Does not require a wire to be inserted along the length of your vein
- Does not use heat, eliminating the risk of thermal injury
How many treatments will I need?
The number and frequency of treatments depends on a patient’s anatomy, how quickly the veins respond, and the patient’s treatment goals. There is a limit on the amount of medication we can give you each day to avoid causing side effects. Some larger or resistant veins may require two treatments to respond completely but most veins respond to Varithena® after one treatment.
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT ON THE DAY OF TREATMENT?
You will sign your consent form then change into shorts provided by the office. We will clean your skin with alcohol, then use ultrasound to localize the veins. The foam medication will then be injected into your veins with a fine needle. The foam fills and treats the desired section of the vein. The diseased vein collapses and the foam is deactivated. Your legs will be elevated on a comfortable wedge pillow for approximately 15 minutes. After your treatment, we will help you into your compression stockings, then you will walk for 30 minutes prior to getting in your car.
“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.
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