BHC VEIN CENTER IS NAMED CENTER OF EXCELLENCE FOR VENASEAL TECHNOLOGY
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BIRMINGHAM- In addition to being the first and only practice in Alabama to use Venaseal technology, Birmingham Heart Clinic (BHC’)’s Vein Center was recently named a Center of Excellence for the closure system. This means that BHC is now being utilized as a training site for professionals from several surrounding states.
Overall, the VenaSeal™ closure system reduces discomfort and recovery time for patients, and is designed to allow patients to return more quickly to normal activities. The VenaSeal™ closure system is a cyanoacrylate-based medical adhesive (viscous, polymerizes quickly, and soft/elastic with a strong bond) for the closure of greater and lesser saphenous veins in the legs. This is the only non-tumescent, non-thermal, and non-sclerosant procedure where adhesive is delivered endovenously to close the vein. This unique approach eliminates the risk of nerve injury when treating the small saphenous vein. The procedure is administered without the use of tumescent anesthesia, meaning only one needle stick is needed to numb the area, thus avoiding patient discomfort associated with multiple needle sticks. It also eliminates the need for post-procedure compression stockings, and reduces post-procedure pain and bruising. The patient can return to normal activities rapidly.
“This is a unique, almost painless procedure performed in our clinic that is much more comfortable for our patients than traditional treatment methods for venous disease,” explained Dr. Foster. “VenaSeal technology is currently the most advanced vein treatment available, with less discomfort and faster recovery for patients. In fact, patients undergoing this procedure can return immediately to normal activities and exercise.”
The VenaSeal procedure is done under ultrasound guidance and the patient is draped in the usual sterile fashion just like the radiofrequency ablation procedure also performed at BHC, except it is non-thermal and non-tumescent. There is one access needle stick site in the lower leg. Once access is achieved, the introducer/dilator and catheter is advanced toward the sapheno-femoral junction, compression is applied to the area, and the physician injects the VenaSeal directly into the vein.
Symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency or varicose veins of the lower extremities include:
- Painful or aching legs
- Heaviness in the legs
- Swollen feet and ankles
- Throbbing or burning in the legs
- Itchy, dry and thin skin over the affected vein
- Brownish skin changes
- Muscle cramping in your legs (particularly at night)
- Bleeding and/or ulceration