Dr. McPherson is board certified in general and cardiothoracic surgery and performs all aspects of adult cardiac, general thoracic and peripheral vascular surgery including Endovenous Laser Ablation Therapy (EVLT).
If you are experiencing pain or discomfort associated with varicose veins, endovenous laser ablation therapy (also called endovenous laser treatment or EVLT) may be the best option for you. Prominent varicose veins are one of the most common problems faced by individuals all over the world.
Your veins carry the blood pumped by the heart throughout the body, providing oxygen to all parts of your body and back to the heart. Veins have valves that ensure that the blood is flowing in the right direction.
When the valves are broken, it disrupts the blood flow cycle. This leads to veins that are expanded, stretched, and twisted, preventing the blood from circulating effectively. Veins experiencing these issues are called varicose veins.
EVLT is a minimally invasive technique done under local anesthesia with an excellent success rate. The procedure makes use of a vein catheter that delivers laser energy to the abnormal veins. The heat of this energy destroys the walls of the veins, causing abnormal veins to die and be safely and naturally absorbed by the body.
Endovenous laser ablation therapy starts with a consultation with a medical professional, who will review your medical conditions, medical history, medications, allergies, and family medical history. They will use this information to determine whether you are a suitable candidate; almost every patient with varicose veins is a suitable candidate.
During the procedure, ultrasound scanning is used to detect the veins to be treated, and the treatment areas are marked. The treatment areas are cleaned with an antiseptic, numbed with anesthesia, and then covered with drapes.
The EVLT procedure begins with a catheter being inserted into the varicose veins. It is guided into the veins using ultrasound technology. Local anesthesia is then administered.
The laser at the end of the catheter heats the walls of the veins and closes them, causing the blood to stop flowing through the treated veins. Because the blood no longer needs to flow through these faulty veins, circulation becomes more efficient.
The problem veins shrink and fade away. Your doctor may ask you not to swim or to get your legs wet afterwards, and you may need to wear compression socks for a time.
You will be asked to take an ultrasound a week after the procedure to ensure that no clots have formed in the treatment area.
The ELVT procedure is one of the most ideal treatments to reduce the pain and discomfort caused by varicose veins. It offers the following benefits:
Saves valuable time – It is an outpatient procedure and takes only about an hour to perform, after which you can resume normal activities. Your healthcare provider may ask you to wear compression socks to aid with circulation while you recover.
It is minimally invasive – The procedure is minimally invasive and involves just one incision, through which the catheter is inserted. You do not need to be sedated, and only the treatment area is numbed to avoid discomfort.
Requires no downtime or recovery time – You can resume your day-to-day activities immediately after the procedure.
Endovenous laser ablation therapy is highly recommended for those suffering from varicose veins. Contact our office today for your consultation.
Your Endovenous Laser Ablation Therapy will be performed in Dr. McPherson’s surgery center located in Oxnard, CA, just outside of Ventura.
Self-verified patient of James G. McPherson, III, MD, MPH, FACS
This is not someone you want to give less than 5 stars to. It may seem too embellishing to say "this person gave me a new life", but in fact that's exactly what he did! There are no words to describe the total care he showed to me. I thank him every day.
I absolutely admire Dr Mc ! He is an outstanding Heart surgeon with hands of gold.
Dr McPherson is unlike any other physcision I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. Not only is he professional in every way, but extremely caring, knowledgable and experienced in his field. I have such trust in him, I wish he were my family physician.
James G. McPherson, III, MD, MPH, FACS is board certified in general and cardiothoracic surgery and performs all aspects of adult cardiac, general thoracic and peripheral vascular surgery.
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