Vein Disease Treatment in Los Angeles

ProVascularMD has four vein disease treatment centers in the Los Angeles area. We treat varicose veins & spider veins with modern, minimally invasive techniques, allowing your legs to heal without major incisions or post-surgery downtime.

Couple walking on the beach after vein treatment in Los Angeles, California

Vein Disease Treatment at ProVascularMD

Simple Diagnosis
A brief ultrasound exam is all that’s needed to find out if you’re a candidate for vein treatment

Effective Treatment
Vein disease treatment reliably relieves pain and swelling, and helps the leg heal from venous insufficiency.

Fast Procedure
Vein disease treatment usually takes about 45 minutes from start to finish.

Immediate Recovery
You can return to your normal activities on the same day immediately after your procedure.

Clinically Proven
The efficacy of vein disease treatments is supported by several clinical studies and nearly two decades of practice.

Comprehensive Vascular Care
Sometimes, varicose veins are part of a bigger vascular problem. Our vascular specialists in Los Angeles have the expertise to evaluate you for more serious vascular conditions, including deep venous obstruction and peripheral artery disease.

Vein Specialist Dr. Michael Lalezarian in Los Angeles, California

Vein Specialist

Dr. Michael Lalezarian

Vein problems? We can help you get your legs back.

Dr. Michael Lalezarian is a double-board certified Vascular Interventional Radiologist specializing in minimally invasive vein treatments. He is a committed partner in the battle against the devastating consequences of venous insufficiency.

5-Star vein treatment in Los Angeles
“I cannot express enough the gratitude that I have for Dr. Lalezarian and his entire staff. I came in for a ruptured vein on my ankle and varicose veins in both of my legs. On each visit I was met with extreme professionalism and care. Dr. Lalezarian, Jennifer, and the rest of the staff answered every question and concern with compassion. I felt like I was in really good hands. Each procedure was painless with minimal recovery time. If you have any type of vein issue, I would highly recommend Dr. Lalezarian and his staff at ProVascularMD.”

John L, March 2022

What Causes Vein Disease?

The primary function of veins is to carry blood towards heart. The underlying cause of most vein problems is a phenomenon known as “venous reflux.” Venous reflux refers to the condition in which blood in a vein or a group of veins flows backwards (away from the heart), causing blood to pool in the veins. This pooling is responsible for the visual bulging and discoloration that is characteristic of varicose veins and indicative of insufficient vein function. For this reason, vein disease is referred to as “chronic venous insufficiency” amongst medical professionals.

For any individual case of varicose veins, the exact cause is usually unknown. We do know that lifestyle factors that expose the veins to excessive amounts of pressure, such as prolonged sitting or standing, weight gain, or pregnancy increase your likelihood of developing varicose veins. Similarly, factors that are thought to compromise the integrity of the veins, such as smoking and aging also increase your risk. In rare cases, a source of obstruction (blockage) can be identified in the vascular system, but in the majority of cases, vein disease is attributed to genetic predisposition.

Varicose veins are commonly thought of as just a cosmetic issue, and while this is true in some cases, many individuals with varicose veins also deal with swelling and pain that can be quite serious. When blood pools in the veins, it can have systemic effects on the tissues of the leg, affecting skin and muscle health. Patients often report cramping, aching, throbbing, and heaviness in their leg, among other sensations. As your legs progress through the stages of venous insufficiency, the skin can become dry and itchy, hardened, or discolored. In its most severe form, venous leg ulcers can form as a consequence of insufficient blood flow in the veins.

Vein Screening in Los Angeles
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Diagram of venous reflux and venous obstruction

How Vein Disease Treatment Works

The goal of vein treatment is to shut down or eliminate the diseased vein, allowing blood to flow through nearby healthy veins. This is usually done with minimally invasive medical devices, but can also be accomplished with vein stripping surgery. At ProVascularMD, we specialize in minimally invasive techniques because they’ve been shown to provide lower complication rates and faster recovery than surgery. We provide a brief overview of each approach below.

Endovenous Ablation

Endovenous ablation, also called thermal vein ablation, is the most common approach to vein treatment. This procedure involves applying heat to the inside of the vein using a minimally invasive, catheter-based device (see image below). The catheter is inserted into the vein through a tiny nick in the leg, and the applied heat causes the vein to collapse, effectively closing down the vein.

Radiofrequency Vein Ablation

Radiofrequency vein ablation is performed using a catheter that is equipped with a heating element and connected to a radiofrequency (RF) generator. Prior to activating the heating element, the saphenous compartment, which surrounds the vein, is filled with a liquid called tumescent anesthesia. Tumescent anesthesia acts as a heat sink to protect surrounding tissue from excessive temperatures during treatment.

Laser Vein Ablation

Laser vein ablation works more or less the same way as radiofrequency vein ablation, except that the source of heat is a laser rather than a radiofrequency device. The choice between radiofrequency or laser typically comes down to physician preference.
Laser vein ablation performed by vein specialist in Los Angeles, California

Ultrasound Guided Foam Sclerotherapy (UGFS)

Ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy (UGFS) is another minimally invasive vein treatment. This procedure works by injecting a chemical agent called a sclerosant into the vein. When mixed with gas prior to injection, the sclerosant solution has a foamy consistency that fills the vein, making it uniquely effective for large and/or tortuous varicose veins. The sclerosant is often described as a chemical irritant that causes the vein to collapse and scar over, effectively closing down the vein.

VenaSeal Vein Glue

VenaSeal, also called vein glue, involves the injection of a biologically compatible glue, n-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate (NBCA), into the vein. The glued segment of vein is pressed shut for a time by applying external pressure, allowing the glue solidify and seal the vein shut. This process is repeated for the entire length of the varicose vein.

Vein Screening in Los Angeles

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VenaSeal vein glue procedure performed by vein specialist in Los Angeles, California

Vein Stripping Surgery

Vein stripping is an ‘old school’ surgical procedure in which the varicose vein is pulled out of the leg via incisions made at the two ends of the vein. By modern standards, this approach is much more invasive than the minimally invasive techniques described above. In fact, a pivotal study published in 2003 (the EVOLVeS study) found that vein stripping has a higher complication rate and requires longer recovery time than minimally invasive approaches.

Compression Stockings

Compression stockings are medical-grade hose that apply graduated pressure to the leg and assist with blood flow. In a sense, compression stockings compensate for the vein dilation that occurs as vein disease progresses. However, treatment with compression stockings does not fix the underlying vein problems. While compression stockings are typically prescribed as a conservative measure prior to vein treatment, they are also prescribed as a temporary follow-up to vein treatment to reinforce vein closure.

Is Vein Disease Treatment Right For Me?

Many of our patients are surprised (and delighted) to find out just how simple vein treatment is. If you’re suffering from vein problems, contact us at ProVascularMD in Los Angeles to learn more about your options.

Vein Disease Screening in Los Angeles

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More Resources
Stages of venous insufficiency

Stages of Venous Insufficiency

Learn about the stages of venous insufficiency, from spider veins to venous leg ulcers.
Venous leg ulcer treatment

Venous Leg Ulcer Treatment

Learn how minimally invasive vein treatments can help accelerate healing.
Los Angeles Vascular Specialist Dr. Michael Lalezarian

Vascular Specialist in Los Angeles

Learn more about Los Angeles Vascular Specialist Dr. Michael Lalezarian.

References

[1] Michael H. Criqui, Maritess Jamosmos, Arnost Fronek, Julie O. Denenberg, R., & D. Langer, John Bergan, and B. A. G. (2003). Chronic Venous Disease in an Ethnically Diverse Population The San Diego Population Study. American Journal of Epidemiology, 158(5), 448-456. PMC 2015 Jan 6.
[2] Chiesa, R., Marone, E. M., Limoni, C., Volonté, M., Schaefer, E., & Petrini, O. (2005). Chronic venous insufficiency in Italy: The 24-cities Cohort study. European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, 30(4), 422–429.
[3] Wrona, M., Jöckel, K. H., Pannier, F., Bock, E., Hoffmann, B., & Rabe, E. (2015). Association of Venous Disorders with Leg Symptoms: Results from the Bonn Vein Study 1. European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, 50(3), 360–367.

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