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Ablations Q & A

What are ablations?

Ablations use radiofrequency energy or other techniques to treat chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) or diseased veins, especially in your legs. Memorial Katy Cardiology Associates offers endovenous radiofrequency ablation, the VenaSeal procedure, and Varithena® sclerotherapy and other sclerotherapy procedures to treat unhealthy blood vessels.

How do ablations work?

Ablations work by blocking blood flow to diseased veins, causing the treated veins to close off and dissolve. Your body gradually absorbs the treated veins and reroutes blood through healthier nearby vessels.

Why might I need ablations?

The Memorial Katy Cardiology Associates team will suggest you undergo ablations if you suffer from varicose veins, spider veins, chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), or another blood vessel disease. For example, you might struggle with aching, swelling, burning pain, or skin discoloration in your legs.

Which kind of ablation is best for me?

Your Memorial Katy Cardiology Associates provider lets you know if you’re a candidate for ablation and the best procedure for your personalized needs. They review your symptoms and medical history, check your vital signs, and complete a physical exam. You might also need blood tests, vascular ultrasound, and other diagnostic procedures.

What kinds of ablations are there?

Among the highly effective ablation procedures available at Memorial Katy Cardiology Associates are:

Endovenous radiofrequency ablation

During endovenous radiofrequency ablation, your provider numbs the treatment area and inserts a needle-like probe into the targeted area. The probe uses radiofrequency waves to destroy nearby cells. Your specialist often uses ultrasound technology to guarantee precision and accuracy in guiding the probe.

VenaSeal™

VenaSeal from Medtronic uses a medical adhesive to close damaged veins. These veins dissolve, and blood is rerouted through nearby healthy veins.

Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy uses an injection of foam or a solution that scars and closes off diseased veins, causing them to disappear over time.

Varithena™

Varithena from Boston Scientific is a kind of sclerotherapy that uses patented foam injections to close diseased veins, causing them to gradually fade away.

Call the nearest Memorial Katy Cardiology Associates office today or schedule an appointment online to learn more about highly effective ablations to treat vein diseases.