What are varicose veins?

Varicose veins are the large, visible and bulging leg veins, felt under the skin.
They develop due to weakness of the vein wall and because the valves no longer work. Under the pressure of gravity, these veins can continue to expand and in time, they may become longer, twisty, pouched, thickened and painful.

Who is at risk?

The most important risk factors leading to the development of varicose veins include heredity, prolonged standing (or sitting), increasing age, warm climate, heavy lifting, obesity, prior blood clots in superficial or deep veins, female gender and multiple pregnancies.

What are the signs and symptons of varicose veins?

Varicose veins may be entirely symptom-free and cause no immediate health problems. Treatment in such cases is usually considered cosmetic. When symptoms are present the most common are: ankle and leg swelling, heaviness and fullness, aching, restlessness, fatigue, pain, cramps and itching. If you experience any of these symptons, contact an expert.  Do not ignore leg pains!

What are the causes of varicose veins?

Our veins return blood from the arms and legs to the heart. Because veins work against the force of gravity in legs, they have valves that allow forward blood flow, but not reverse. Contraction (squeezing) of the leg muscles pumps the blood towards the heart while the valves in the veins prevent backflow towards the feet. If these valves lose their function, the blood leaks (reflux) toward feet, accumulates in thin-walled superficial veins causing them to enlarge and become what we call ‘’varicose veins’’.

How are varicose veins diagnosed?

Varicose veins are generally seen during physical examination with naked eye, since they are close to the skin surface, However, the vein with nonfunctioning valves that create varicose veins are generally more deeply located, and thus cannot be without special instruments. These veins can be readily seen with a color or duplex Doppler ultrasound machine. Ultrasound examination however, must be performed by an experienced radiologist, preferably by the one who will also perform the treatment.

What is the solution for varicose veins?

In 2009 we have developed an all-in-one device for the treatment of all sorts of varicose veins. With our EVRF® we can treat blue/red spider veins up to 1 mm, varicose veins from 1,15 to 5 mm: collateral, reticular and perforating veins and also the Saphena Magna vein.

The technique behind the EVRF®: Thermocoagulation

The principle of thermocoagulation is the heating of the vein which makes the vein coagulate. This rise in temperature is achieved by sending a high frequency pulse in the tip of the needle or catheter. Because the needle and or catheter is isolated, the effect is very local and the effect on the surrounding tissue is limited.

The EVRF uses a needle or a catheter depending on the size of vein you want to treat. The small veins are treated with the special designed thermo coagulation needles R3I and R6I for face or legs veins. The larger veins up to 5 mm are treated with a special designed catheter which will be penetrated into te vein and coagulates the vein from the inside.The Saphena Magna is treated with a CR45i catheter.

This video will show you a treatment of a medium sized varicose vein with the EVRF and catheter:

For more information about the EVRF® go to: http://www.fcaresystems.com/medical-products/evrf/ ot to our special EVRF® website: http://www.evrf.eu.

To find your nearest treatment location, please go to: http://g.co/maps/4hswv