Endovenous Laser Ablation 

One of the primary reasons for the tremendous advances that have taken place in venous medicine in recent decades is the development of endovenous (“inside the veins”) forms of treatment. In the past, one of the only ways to treat varicose veins was an invasive surgical procedure called “vein stripping,” which required the doctor to make incisions along the full length of the affected veins, and then scrape them away with a scalpel. This procedure was as painful as it sounds and required hospitalization and long recovery periods, and often left scars.

But that’s how varicose veins were treated back in the “bad old days.” Modern vein doctors in Bergen County use minimally invasive procedures such as endovenous laser therapy, or EVLT.

These procedures require no deep incisions, and thus no hospitals or general anesthesia. Instead, treatment is provided in the comfort of our Cross County Cardiology offices, and is so painless and fast that some patients actually have their varicose veins removed on their lunch hour, and then return to work.

EVLT uses a tiny laser to close off veins that have become varicose as a result of vein disease. To perform the procedure, your doctor inserts a catheter fitted with a tiny but powerful laser into the affected veins, and then guides it into place using ultrasound.

The Vein Doctors in Bergen County then use the heat of the laser to permanently close the diseased vein, which is then absorbed into surrounding tissue while blood flow is automatically re-routed to healthier veins. This eliminates the unattractive varicose veins, of course, but more important, it also eliminates the pain and discomfort that often accompanies them.