Varithena® for Varicose Veins
When you notice a heavy, tired, achy sensation in your legs or unsightly bulging blood vessels or knots under your skin, addressing the underlying cause is crucial for restoring your comfort, improving your appearance, and preventing potentially serious issues in the future. This is why Dr. Louis Prevosti of Prevosti Vein Center offers Varithena, an FDA-approved microfoam treatment that effectively eliminates problematic veins through precise injection therapy.
With decades of cardiovascular expertise, Dr. Prevosti has performed tens of thousands of vein procedures throughout his career. This extensive experience with a wide range of vein disorders and treatment modalities allows him to determine when Varithena is the best option for you.
What Is Varithena® Vein Treatment?
Varithena is an advanced, FDA-approved product that treats venous insufficiency through specialized microfoam sclerotherapy. The process involves injecting a medicated foam directly into the affected veins, where it displaces blood and causes the vein walls to collapse and seal shut. The body gradually absorbs these closed veins over time while healthy vessels take over circulation.
Varithena is sometimes called “chemical ablation” because it closes down abnormal veins chemically as opposed to thermal ablation (radiofrequency ablation, endovenous laser ablation). Varithena is also called polidocanol microfoam (PMF), because polidocanol is the sclerosing agent in the foam, and Varithena is made of very small, uniformly sized foam bubbles. It is also sometimes referred to as non-compounded foam (NCF), meaning the foam is not made by the physician in the office. Varithena foam comes in a canister from the producer.
The uniform consistency of the Varithena foam provides distinct advantages over traditional liquid sclerotherapy or physician-compounded foam (PCF). This proprietary foam maintains better contact with vein walls and can treat larger veins more effectively than liquid for PCF alternatives. This makes Varithena particularly useful for addressing veins that may be challenging with other methods, including tortuous veins and veins that have been previously treated.
How Does Varithena® Work?
Varithena treatment begins with real-time ultrasound imaging to visualize the exact position of problematic vessels, allowing for accurate placement of the foam. The foam is then injected through a small access site, filling the vein and displacing blood within the vessel.
The active ingredient in Varithena is polidocanol, a sclerosing agent that has been used safely for decades to treat venous disorders. When transformed into microfoam, this medication achieves superior coverage of the vein wall compared to liquid formulations and physician-compounded foam. The foam causes irritation to the vein lining (the endothelium), triggering the vein to close down over a period of roughly 24 hours.
Once the vein seals shut, blood immediately reroutes through nearby healthy veins, improving overall circulation. The body's natural processes gradually break down and absorb the closed vessel. Symptoms can improve as soon as a few days, particularly symptoms such as achy, painful legs, night cramps or restless leg. Other symptoms, such as swelling or skin ulcers, can take weeks or months to improve.
Most veins treated with Varithena, such as saphenous veins and tributary branches, are below the skin and not visible. Sometimes, larger, bulging surface varicose veins are treated with Varithena. In these situations, there is a gradual improvement in both appearance and symptoms as the treated veins shrink down and are gradually absorbed over several months.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Varithena® Treatment?
Ideal candidates for Varithena include patients experiencing symptoms of venous insufficiency such as leg pain, aching, heaviness, swelling or visible varicose veins. This treatment proves particularly effective for:
- Great saphenous vein insufficiency
- Small saphenous vein insufficiency
- Accessory saphenous veins
- Large Tributary veins
- Neovascularization caused by previous vein operations
- Tortuous or twisted vein configurations
- Veins that have been previously treated and are now partially reopened
- Patients seeking alternatives to thermal ablation methods
Dr. Prevosti's comprehensive evaluation determines whether Varithena alone will address your concerns or if combining it with other treatments would provide the most successful results. His extensive diagnostic experience allows him to accurately assess your venous anatomy and recommend the most effective treatment approach. Dr. Prevosti evaluates your complete medical history to determine if this treatment is appropriate for your situation.
What to Expect From Your Treatment
Thorough Evaluation
Your consultation begins with a detailed diagnostic ultrasound examination to map your venous system and identify all areas of venous insufficiency. Dr. Prevosti’s experienced vascular ultrasound technologists have great skill and experience at performing these highly technical scans. Dr. Prevosti then takes the results of the scan along with the information obtained for the history and physical to develop a personalized treatment plan.
Dr. Prevosti takes the time to explain the findings, discuss his recommendations, and answer any questions. Once the treatment plan is created, his administrative staff submits prior-authorization paperwork to your insurance company.
Treatment Session
A typical Varithena treatment session takes 30 minutes or less. You can drive yourself to and from the appointment without needing someone to accompany you, though you're welcome to bring someone if you wish. Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing on your lower body. Bring shorts to change into just prior to the procedure, or shorts will be provided to you at the office. We also ask you to bring your compression stocking with you, as you will need to put it on after the treatment. If you have none, compression stockings are available for purchase at the office.
Using ultrasound guidance, Dr. Prevosti identifies the precise location for vein treatment. The microfoam is then carefully injected into the target vessel under real-time ultrasound imaging, allowing Dr. Prevosti to achieve thorough coverage of the vein while evenly distributing the foam. Local anesthesia is used at some access sites, and sometimes the access sites are tiny and numbing is not needed.
Per the FDA, the maximum amount of Varithena that can be administered in one session is 15 milliliters. With this in mind, sometimes more than one treatment session may be needed for patients with extensive varicose veins and venous insufficiency.
Immediate Aftercare
Following your Varithena treatment, compression therapy is applied to the treated area. Dr. Prevosti and his team provide detailed verbal and written post-procedure instructions. You can walk and drive immediately after treatment, resuming light daily activities right away.
Recovery and Post-Treatment Care
Recovery after Varithena treatment follows a straightforward protocol designed to promote vein closure and minimize discomfort or complications while allowing you to maintain as much freedom as possible within your regular routine. Post-treatment care involves compression therapy and a gradual return to full activity levels.
You'll wear compression stockings as directed by Dr. Prevosti, typically for three days following treatment. Walking is encouraged immediately after your procedure, as muscle activity supports healthy circulation. Most patients return to work the same day for office jobs, while those with physically demanding vocations might need a day or two of downtime before resuming work.
Light exercise such as yoga can typically resume within two days, with strenuous activities cleared within five to seven days in most cases. Dr. Prevosti will provide individualized guidelines based on the extent of your treatment and other unique circumstances.
Most patients experience minimal or no post-procedure discomfort. Any mild soreness can be managed with over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Some patients notice temporary bruising, slight swelling or knots, which resolve over the following days and weeks.
Dr. Prevosti schedules follow-up appointments within one week and again at six weeks after completion of treatment to monitor your progress and address any questions.
Why Choose Dr. Prevosti for Varithena® Treatment
Dr. Prevosti's independent, physician-led practice means you work directly with him from diagnosis through treatment and follow-up care. The practice is not owned by a hospital system or private equity firm, allowing Dr. Prevosti the freedom to choose the materials and techniques he believes are best for you.
As one of the most experienced and qualified Varithena providers in Georgia, Dr. Prevosti offers patients the following advantages:
- Board-certified: Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery certification
- Specialized credentials: Diplomat of the American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine, and RPhS (registered phlebology sonographer) status
- Exclusive focus on venous disorders: 100% dedication to treating venous disorders
- Extensive experience: Tens of thousands of vein procedures performed throughout his career
- Advanced imaging expertise: Precise ultrasound-guided technique refined through decades of vascular experience with RPVI (registered physician vascular interpreter) status
- Single-location convenience: All evaluations, treatments and follow-ups performed in one Canton office
Combining Treatments for Comprehensive Care
While Varithena effectively treats multiple aspects of venous insufficiency, Dr. Prevosti may recommend combining this treatment with other minimally invasive approaches to thoroughly address all aspects of venous disorders. Radiofrequency ablation or endovenous laser ablation may treat deeper vein insufficiency, while ambulatory microphlebectomy can remove larger surface varicose veins.
This comprehensive approach, tailored to each patient's unique anatomy, helps maximize benefits and reduce recurrence rates. Dr. Prevosti believes that completely eliminating venous insufficiency helps optimize outcomes while reducing the likelihood of future concerns.
Choose Prevosti Vein Center for Expert Varithena® Treatment
Prevosti Vein Center offers Varithena treatment for patients who demand the highest standards of safety, quality and transparency. Dr. Prevosti’s vast experience and patient-centered approach will help you feel like yourself again with a targeted treatment plan that delivers real results.
If venous insufficiency affects your quality of life, contact Prevosti Vein Center today to schedule your consultation with Dr. Prevosti and discover how Varithena treatment can restore your comfort and peace of mind.