VENASEAL CLOSURE SYSTEM
VenaSeal is a minimally invasive, non-heat-based treatment for varicose veins. Instead of heat, VenaSeal uses a medical adhesive to close the long, straight diseased veins in our legs. This procedure is done in clinic with our patients awake and leaving the same day. Afzal is a trainer for MEDTRONIC vein devices (including RFA and Venaseal). This treatment is done in our Edina, Woodbury, and Fridley locations.
FAQ's
What is chronic venous insufficiency?
Chronic venous insufficiency, also known as venous reflux disease, is a condition that develops when the tiny valves in your blood vessels fail to work properly. This allows blood to flow backward, away from your heart, which is called reflux.
That blood then pools and becomes trapped in the vein. Without treatment, the problem will eventually worsen, creating numerous symptoms like aching, throbbing, or burning pain in your legs. Additional problems can include changes in your skin, like darkened skin, open sores, and itching.
More than 30 million Americans have varicose veins or chronic venous insufficiency, including as many as 55% of all women.
What is the VenaSeal Closure System?
The VenaSeal Closure system is an innovative treatment for chronic venous insufficiency or varicose veins. The treatment uses a proprietary medical adhesive to fully close a damaged vein.
Once a treated vein is closed, blood can no longer flow through the area. Your body will create new blood vessels to redirect blood, and the damaged vein will be absorbed and processed through your body like any other form of cellular waste.
What happens during VenaSeal treatments?
Prior to your treatment, your practitioner will perform an ultrasound to learn more about how well your veins are functioning. This imaging also shows the precise location of the damaged veins, ensuring that the treatment is performed exactly where it will be most effective.
When you arrive, you’ll receive an injection of numbing medication to keep you comfortable throughout the procedure. Once the area is numb, your physician inserts a thin hollow tube called a catheter into the leg, aligning it with the damaged veins.
Once it’s in the proper position, the medical adhesive is carefully delivered to the vein. Ultrasound imaging guides the placement from start to finish. Your practitioner then removes the catheter and places a small bandage over the site.
You’ll spend a little time in the recovery area before heading home. You should be able to resume normal activities the same day, and your practitioner will let you know how soon you can get back to strenuous activities. Over time, your body will create scar tissue to surround the small amount of adhesive that remains in your body.
Dr. Afzal is certified as a trainer for Medtronic®, the company that manufactures VenaSeal. He helps teach the next generation of physicians and surgeons to perform these innovative vein treatments.
