Authors: Tae An Choi ANP-BC, Nay Htyte MD FACC, & Back Kim MD FACC.
Heart Vein NYC, New York, New York
A forty-five-year-old lady who suffered from progressive painful varicose vein with accompanied leg heaviness and swelling upon standing or walking limiting activities of daily living, despite long term use of compression stockings. Figure 1 & 2: Pre-Endovenous Laser Ablation: Prominent varicosities from proximal left thigh laterally extending down to knee and calf. The branch varicosities (figure 3: Red color demonstrates abnormal blood flow filling varicose veins) originated from incompetent GSV (Great Saphenous Vein) (figure 4 demonstrating a retrograde flow (reflux) due to unhealthy valves).
Figure 3: Transverse view of varicose veins in the sonogragram
Figure 4: Retrograde flow (reflux) of incompetent GSV
Figure 5. Peri-EVLT: Percutaneously Introduced the laser fiber into GSV.
Figure 6: Activating the laser and withdrawing the fiber and sheath at the proper speed under guidance of ultrasound.
Figure 7a & 7b. Post-EVLT: Immediately after successful saphenous laser ablation. Visually almost complete resolution of bulging varicose veins with remarkable relief of leg pain, achiness and heaviness.
