During the 45-minutes procedure, a laser catheter is inserted into the defective vein. This is usually performed under local anesthesia using ultrasound guidance. The laser heats the lining within the vein, damaging it and causing it to shrink, and seal shut. Once this happens, the closed vein can no longer carry blood, eliminating vein bulging by correcting the root of the problem. Because these veins are superficial, they are not necessary for the transfer of oxygen-depleted blood back to the heart. This function will be naturally diverted to the healthy veins. In fact, because a varicose vein by definition is damaged, it can actually be detrimental to your overall circulatory health. Although not life threatening, it should be addressed before further complications develop
The 1470nm laser energy is preferentially absorbed in the intracellular water of the vein wall and in the water content of blood.
The irreversible photo-thermal process induced by the laser energy results in a complete occlusion of the treated vein.
The lower energy level needed using the radial laser ber signicantly minimized
adverse effects compared with the bare laser fiber.
