Center for Vein Restoration Welcomes Venous Disease Specialist to Fort Wayne, IN!

America’s largest physician-led vein center, Center for Vein Restoration (CVR), offers an array of painless or nearly pain-free outpatient solutions to treat problem leg veins caused by chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), also known as vein disease. These office-based, minimally invasive leg vein treatments provide relief that is both cosmetic and therapeutic.

Vein disease is chronic, meaning that symptoms are persistent, long-lasting, and will get worse over time. Symptoms include:

• Varicose veins and spider veins
• Swelling in the legs or ankles
• Tightness in the calves
• Itchy, painful, throbbing, or cramping legs
• Skin discoloration, often near the ankles
• Leg ulcers that are sometimes hard to heal

Fort Wayne, Indiana’s Newest Vein Specialist, Has Decades of Experience!

Nancy L. Harthun, MD, MS, FACS, RVT, now offers patients complete vein care at Center for Vein Restoration’s Fort Wayne, Indiana, vein center location. Along with Luis Barajas, MD, RPVI, DABVLM, Dr. Harthun offers:

1. Diagnosis: CVR vein doctors use diagnostic tools, such as ultrasound and physical examinations, to identify and assess conditions like varicose veins, spider veins, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), venous ulcers, and chronic venous insufficiency (CVI).
2. Treatment Planning: CVR vein doctors develop personalized treatment plans for their patients based on the diagnosis. Physicians consider factors like the severity of the patient’s vein condition, the patient's overall health, and the patient’s preferences.
3. Treatment Procedures: CVR vein doctors perform a range of minimally invasive procedures to treat vein disorders. These procedures may include sclerotherapy (injecting a solution into the veins to close them), endovenous laser treatment (using laser energy to seal off affected veins), radiofrequency ablation (using heat to close veins), and ambulatory phlebectomy (removal of varicose veins through tiny incisions).
4. Follow-Up Care: After treatment, CVR vein doctors monitor their patient's progress and may perform follow-up examinations to ensure the procedure's success and address any concerns.
5. Collaboration: CVR vein doctors often collaborate with other healthcare professionals, such as cardiologists and dermatologists, to manage complex cases or conditions with systemic implications.

Meet Dr. Harthun!

Tell us a little bit about your professional experience

I went to Yale University as an undergrad and for medical school. I trained in general and vascular surgery at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. I have been a practicing vascular surgeon for more than twenty years.

Recently, I got to know people at CVR and spent some time with them to see how they do things. I was very impressed with the integrity and dedication to all the guidelines for proper vein care. This is a perfect job for me at this point in my career.

Why did you choose vein care as your specialty?

One of the main reasons is that chronic venous insufficiency (vein disease) is so common. I think over my career, I've come to the opinion that we undertreat this disease. We ought to do a better job of managing it, and I think that vein centers that do nothing but this type of care do a significantly better job than other folks distracted by very different medical problems.

Why did you choose to practice at CVR specifically?

The combination of making sure that we do the appropriate medical thing for our patients, concentrating on getting the best possible cosmetic result, and ensuring that our patients are satisfied. It's not always that common to find that ability to do all those things well.

Can you describe your philosophy of patient care?

My philosophy is to, first, listen. Most of the time, your patients already understand what's wrong, and some details will help you generate an appropriate treatment plan to fix the things that are truly bothering them and take good care of them.

What unique skills do you possess?

I have a lot of experience and have been doing this for a long time. I think one of the things I've gotten from watching vein care evolve from when we used to do only surgical stripping to now where we have outstanding technology. The new techniques have improved safety lessened the recovery, and we can now treat all the veins. Patients are having significantly better outcomes.

How do you see your role in helping your patients?

I'm committed to a good outcome for my patients, and our work is based on the best available medical knowledge. At Center for Vein Restoration, we are leaders in finding new knowledge using technology and improving research and teaching.

Why Treat Vein Disease?

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) treatment aims to manage the condition's symptoms, improve blood flow, and prevent complications. CVI occurs when the veins in the legs do not function properly, causing blood to pool in the lower extremities.

The primary goals of vein treatment are as follows:

• Relieve Symptoms: CVI can cause many uncomfortable symptoms, including leg pain, swelling, heaviness, fatigue, cramping, and skin changes. Treatment aims to alleviate these symptoms and improve a person's overall quality of life.
• Improve Blood Flow: To address CVI, the treatment typically focuses on enhancing blood circulation in the affected veins. This may involve compression stockings, which help squeeze the veins and encourage blood flow back toward the heart. Elevation of the legs can also aid in reducing swelling and improving circulation.
• Minimize Complications: CVI can lead to venous ulcers and skin changes. Treatment seeks to prevent these complications from developing or worsening. Proper management of CVI can reduce the risk of these issues.
• Address the Underlying Cause: In some cases, underlying issues, such as damaged or malfunctioning valves in the veins, must be addressed. Outpatient, minimally invasive procedures can be performed to close or seal off problematic veins, redirecting blood flow to healthier veins.

When it’s Time to Treat Problem Veins, Choose the Vein Care Leader

Blame it on gravity.

Blood must travel the longest distance in the body from the feet to the heart. As a result, the veins in the lower part of the body endure significant pressure. If the valves within these veins struggle to manage this pressure, it can lead to a reverse flow of blood, resulting in the visible surface veins becoming swollen and distorted. Varicose veins form and can get sore and inflamed, and cause bulging veins and redness of the skin around them.

If this sounds like you, help is just a consultation away. Call 240-965-3915 to speak to a Patient Services Representative or schedule your consultation online at a CVR near you today. CVR accepts many insurances, including Aetna, Amerigroup, Anthem, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Cigna, MultiPlan, Medicaid, Medicare, and more.