Varicose Veins | Maria's Patient Story
Varicose Veins: Maria's Patient Story
As a result of venous insufficiency (vein disease), Maria was experiencing significant leg discomfort and other symptoms. At only age 44, she suffered pain and varicosities of both legs, leg heaviness, and fatigue, bleeding, and painful varicose veins.
Maria sought treatment from Center for Vein Restoration (CVR) vein expert Aditya Gupta, MD, RPVI, DABVLM. Dr. Gupta is the lead physician at CVR clinic locations in NW Austin, TX, and SW Austin, TX.
Risk Factors
Unfortunately, Maria had two known risk factors for vein disease: standing or sitting for long periods of time and heredity. As a cook, Maria is on her feet all day long for more than twelve hours at a time. From her father's side of the family, Maria is prone to varicose veins and deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
A DVT is a blood clot (thrombus) that forms deep in the veins, usually in the legs, thigh, or pelvis. DVT can be serious or potentially life-threatening because these clots can break off and travel through the bloodstream, lodging in an artery in the lung. Known as a pulmonary embolism, prompt treatment is vital to break up the clot to reduce the risk of death.
Vein Treatment
After a thorough evaluation that includes a detailed medical history and diagnostic ultrasound to assess the venous anatomy, Dr. Gupta developed a customized treatment plan for Maria, which included:
During this office procedure, high-frequency radio waves heat the targeted vein, causing it to close. The vein is reabsorbed into the body, and blood supply is naturally rerouted through healthier veins.
The bulging vein is then extracted through these tiny incisions that require only a band-aid to cover. This relatively minor surgical procedure is often conducted at the same time as a laser or radiofrequency ablation. The blood supply naturally reroutes to healthier veins.
Ultrasound-Guided Foam Sclerotherapy
Used to treat refluxing tributaries in Maria’s left leg, Dr. Gupta used ultrasonography technology to guide the placement of a needle into the problem vein to inject the medicine. This medicine, called a sclerosant, irritates the vein, causing it to collapse. Blood is then rerouted to healthier veins.
Outcomes
Maria has been back for her one-month and six-month follow-up appointments and has had no new complaints. She is satisfied with the results and says her legs feel like new.
About Dr. Aditya Gupta
Dr. Aditya Gupta, MD, RPVI, D-ABVLM, is board-certified in Internal Medicine, Venous and Lymphatic Medicine, and Vascular Interpretation. He earned his medical degree at Government Medical College and Hospital at Pundab University in Chandigarh, India. He then completed an Internal Medicine Residency at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (Bronx) and was Fellowship trained in Venous and Lymphatic Medicine through the Center for Vein Restoration Fellowship Program.
He is an award-winning medical researcher and was the team leader of the Pulse Polio Immunization Program organized by the World Health Organization during his medical school years.