Vein Care & TherapyDecember 2009 Your eDucational GuiDe to DiaGnosinG, treatinG anD preventinG vein DisorDers

�e Northwestern Vein CenterThe Northwestern Vein Center is the only academic medical center in Chicago where board-certi�ed interventional radiologists and vascular surgeons collaborate to provide you with the highest quaility vein care.

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vein care & therapY

CONTENTS 2 Phlebology

3 Types Of Venous Diseases

4 Taking The Sting Out Of Vein

Treatments

4 Venous Disease

5 The Ins & Outs Of Insurance

Coverage

5 Stopping The Silent Killers

6 Shopping For Vein Treatments

6 Varicose Veins During Pregnancy

7 Panel of Experts

VEIN CarE & ThEraPy A special supplement produced by Mediaplanet and distributed by the Chicago Tribune.

Publisher: Amanda V. Walton amanda.walton@mediaplanet.com

Contributors: Emily Z. Dayton Ken Goldstein, PhD Ken Nanus Meghan Streit Marlene Piturro, PhD

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A Phlebologist is a specialist who

is dedicated to the diagnosis

and treatment of patients with

vein disorders or conditions. These can

range in severity and complexity, but

some of the more common vein condi-

tions involve spider veins and varicose

veins. Because these two conditions

are so common, we see a lot of advertis-

ing for the treatment of these problems.

Newly developed or expanded treat-

ment options for many vein problems,

including varicose veins, now exist.

How common is vein disease? Esti-

mates are that over 80 million Ameri-

cans suffer from some form of vein

disorder and the spectrum of these dis-

orders is extremely broad. Spider veins,

which occur in more than 40 percent of

all women, are a cosmetic nuisance, but

infrequently cause symptoms while

large leg varicosities can cause achi-

ness, tired legs, swelling and even skin

ulceration. When problems occur in

the deep muscular veins, such as blood

clots, the clinical symptoms can be far

worse. In this situation, the leg swelling

can be massive and if the blood clots

travel to the lungs the consequences

can be fatal. Even though vein disease

is very prevalent and some of the clini-

cal consequences are devastating, it is

poorly understood by the public—it is

most often thought of as a cosmetic

disease affecting pregnant women.

This, however, is far from true. Men are

affected almost as often as women and

frequently have more severe clinical

presentations. Recent advancements

in technology have made it possible

to treat all types of venous disease in

a minimally-invasive fashion. These

state-of-the-art image guided tech-

niques, performed by vein specialists

allow patients to return to their normal

routine with minimal discomfort.

If you are a patient seeking answers

to questions about vein care, vein

(venous) diseases, or vein treatment

options and you need to locate a

phlebologist, the best resource is

the American College of Phlebology

(www.phlebology.org). The American

College of Phlebology, or ACP, is a

medical society of vein care profes-

sionals dedicated to advancing vein

care. Many ACP members are medical

practitioners who treat venous disease

in patients including men, women,

children and the elderly. Other ACP

members are actively involved in new

research, which has sparked the surge

in a variety of new treatment methods

available today. Some new treatment

methods are related to technology

and others are related to medications.

So many patients with vein problems

can benefit from treatment or lifestyle

changes but may not know such things

exist. The ACP has recently launched

an awareness campaign to inform the

public about vein disease and what

can be done to help the patient with

vein disease. The core message is vein

care made understandable. In this

outreach program funded by a grant

from the ACP Foundation, a variety

of methods will be used to educate

the public, including patient-focused

websites, social media such as Twitter

and LinkedIn, print material, videos, and

other marketing channels. The ACP will

continue these educational efforts so

patients suffering from venous disease

will recognize the benefits of seeking

care through a vein care specialist.

The following overview of vein

disease will undoubtedly enhance

your understanding of venous disease,

prevention and treatment options. For

further information about your veins,

ask a vein specialist—a Phlebologist.

Phlebology: the treatment of vein DisordersWhen we have any type of medical problem or con-cern, we all want the best care and this usually means looking for a medical specialist. However, this can be confusing if one doesn’t know the medical term for the type of specialist needed. When searching for the branch of medicine that deals with vein problems we need to know the word Phlebology.

By: DR. NICk MORRISON ACP PRESIDENT

DIANA NEuHARDT, RVT CHAIR OF THE ACP PuBLIC AWARENESS TASk FORCE

MELVIN ROSENBLATT, MD, FACPH CHAIR OF THE ACP PuBLIC EDuCATION COMMITTEE

Dr. Nick Morrison

The ACP does not endorse any specific practice or physician.

vein care & therapY

a very special thanks to...

They’d recite a history. From jumping rope to walking down the aisle. From pacing the baby’s room to climbing the corporate ladder. Wherever she’s gone in life, her legs took her there.

So she took care of them. Because they’ve got a lot more history to make.

Varicose veins are more than unsightly; they’re a progressive disease that only gets worse if left untreated. Vein Clinics of America has specialized in the treatment of vein disease for

over 25 years. So call VCA today and do something nice for your legs.

Call 866-611-VEINfor a FREE consultation near you.*

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*Restrictions may apply. © 2009 Vein Clinics of America, Inc. All rights reserved.

MediaPlanetWaiting1/2pg4C.indd 1 11/17/09 12:06:19 PM

There are four major common

presentations of venous disease:

chronic venous insufficiency,

varicose vein disease, deep vein throm-

bosis, and pulmonary embolism. Each

of these presentations have their own

symptoms and degree of severity, but

like any problem with the cardiovascu-

lar system, all should be taken seriously

and be treated by a specialist.

Chronic venous insufficiency is a

general term referring to an inability

to return blood to the heart. It, like

many venous diseases, can be ag-

gravated by long periods of standing

or sitting, which weaken the one-way

valves within veins. As this process oc-

curs, blood pools in the calf and ankle

instead of flowing back toward the

heart. Over time a person will notice

the following symptoms: swelling, pain,

fatigue, heaviness, or restlessness. In

advanced cases bleeding or open sores

may develop.

Varicose veins are the most common

manifestation of chronic venous insuf-

ficiency. It is commonly noted for large

bulging veins but frequently visible

large veins are not initially apparent

on the surface. Like chronic venous

insufficiency, varicose veins are due

to a weakening in a one-way valve.

“This isn’t something that occurs over

night, it takes years to develop”, says

Richard D. Rosenfeld, MD, of Advanced

Vein and Laser Centre. He also notes

that new advances allow treatment on

an outpatient basis. He also cautions

that if left untreated complications

can occur; darkening of the skin called

hyperpigmentosis, a thickening of the

skin around the veins known as lipo-

dermatosclerosis, bleeding known as

hemorrhaging, clotting called a throm-

bis, and open sores called leg ulcers.

A more serious condition occurs

when a blood clot forms within the

deep veins, this is known as a deep vein

thrombosis (DVT). These clots can result

from, among other factors, long peri-

ods of sitting, earning it the nickname

“travelers thrombosis”. The symptoms

include feelings of pain and warmth

in the legs, accompanied by swelling

and redness. This condition should

be taken very seriously as there is the

possibility of the clot coming loose and

becoming lodged in the lungs, causing

a pulmonary embolism, an extremely

serious, life threatening condition

requiring immediate medical atten-

tion. The most common symptoms of a

pulmonary embolism are shortness of

breath associated with chest pains and

the coughing up of blood.

Types Of Venous DiseasesAccording to the American College of Phlebology, more than 80 million Americans suffer from some form of venous disease. With over 60,000 miles of veins in an adult body, that number shouldn’t be too surprising. However, most venous disease occurs in the legs as they are not only the furthest from the heart, but have to fight gravity as well.

By: kEN GOLDSTEIN, PHD

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“Thrombosis is the forma-

tion of blood clots, which

are the most dangerous

in deep veins because the clot can dis-

lodge, travel to the lungs, and cause a

pulmonary embolism. Venous reflux

and the resulting venous hypertension

cause backwards blood flow in the

veins and leads to conditions like vari-

cose and spider veins, venous stasis

ulcers and predisposes to thrombosis.”

Symptoms of venous disease may

not be obvious at the onset of a dis-

order, and patients tend to overlook

subtle changes or attribute them to

other sources. “The most common

symptom of venous disease is a gen-

eral aching of the legs that worsens

during the course of the day,” says

Mark Forrestal, MD, FACPh, founder

of Northwest Veincare. ”Other side

effects include swelling, itching,

burning and an overall heaviness felt

in the legs.” Venous disease can also

cause physical changes on the skin

surface such as darkened pigmenta-

tion. ”People who work out regularly,

eat nutritious foods and maintain a

healthy weight can reduce symptoms

associated with venous disease,” says

Dr. Forrestal.

Dr. McWilliams notes that genetics

is the leading factor that contributes

to developing a vein disorder, though

lifestyle issues can accelerate the

process. Women are more suscep-

tible than men to developing venous

disease due to hormonal influences

especially during pregnancy, as well

as from taking contraceptives. People

who stand for prolonged periods

of time or endure trauma to the leg

also have an increased probability of

developing venous disease. Age and

obesity can also be causative factors

in developing a vein abnormality. Dr.

Forrestal finds that many patients

are unaware that the symptoms

they experience are actually caused

by their veins, and he encourages

people to talk with their doctor a

soon as they see or feel enlarged

veins or experience soreness in their

legs. Several simple treatments

exist, such as wearing compression

hosiery that can alleviate symptoms

before they begin to impact the

patient’s quality of life.

Dr. McWilliams also notes that many

women are under the impression that

they should wait until they are fin-

ished having children before they get

venous diseases such as varicose veins

treated: “With the techniques we have

today that are minimally invasive and

treat veins more effectively, eliminat-

ing the veins between births can

make the disease more manageable.”

Abnormalities such as varicose veins,

can also eventually lead to blood clots

in the deep veins, so patients should

discuss treatment options with their

doctor to prevent more serious condi-

tions from developing.

Venous Disease: symptoms & causesAccording to the Venous Disease Coalition, vein disorders affect more than 25 percent of the u.S. population. Venous diseases include conditions caused by atypical or diseased veins. “There are two general categories of venous dis-ease,” notes Sean McWilliams, MD, a board certified phlebologist at Vein Clinics of America.

By: EMILy Z. DAyTON

A decade ago, the only option to

treat varicose veins was vein

stripping surgery requiring

general anesthesia and lengthy recov-

ery. Today, many doctors offer less inva-

sive procedures. Richard D. Rosenfeld,

MD, a board certified phlebolgist (a

physician specializing in the treatment

of varicose veins), credits laser and

ultrasound technology with expanding

available treatments.

“People need to understand that

they are living in the midst of a major

revolution in the treatment of vein

disease,” he says. “ultrasound has

changed vein disease more than any-

thing in the past 20 years because we

can actually see the disease without

cutting people.”

Dr. Rosenfeld has been performing

laser treatments for varicose veins

since 2003 at Advanced Vein & Laser

Centre in Libertyville, Ill. He says laser

treatments require only local anes-

thesia, leave fewer scars, and patients

can return to work the same day.

“Hospitalization and its cost have been

eliminated because this procedure can

easily be done in a physician’s office,”

he says.

Endovenous laser treatments are

successful in 98 percent of patients with

only a 7 percent recurrence rate after

two years, according to VeinDirectory.

org, a web site with an advisory board

of notable vein treatment physicians.

Barry Summers, MD, is chairman

of the Department of Surgery at Chi-

cago’s St. Mary of Nazareth Hospital

and also practices at Northside Vein

Care in Chicago. He performs laser

procedures to treat the main vein

that causes varicose veins. For smaller

varicose vein clusters, Dr. Summers

says one minimally-invasive option

is microphlebectomy, in which a

special hook is used to remove veins

through multiple small incisions. The

outpatient procedure requires only

local anesthesia.

unlike varicose veins, which can lead

to ulcers and blood clots, spider veins

don’t typically cause serious medical

problems, although they contribute

to symptoms. Dr. Rosenfeld says, there

are non-invasive treatments available

for people who want to eliminate

spider veins.

Foam sclerotherapy, in which

physicians use tiny needles to inject

a chemical into surface veins, is a

common treatment for spider veins.

Dr. Rosenfeld likens sclerotherapy to

acupuncture, and says the procedure

requires no anesthesia and patients

can resume normal activity in two to

three days. Topical lasers can also treat

spider veins.

Dr. Rosenfeld says he has observed

high success rates among patients he’s

treated for varicose and spider veins.

Still, he says, it’s ideal to choose a doc-

tor who is committed to a comprehen-

sive, long-term treatment plan. “Even

after a laser procedure, it’s prudent to

have regular checkups, to make sure

everything healed up as perfectly as

possible,” he says.

Taking The Sting Out Of Vein TreatmentsIf you suffer from vein disease and think your only choices are enduring unsightly varicose or spider veins or undergoing painful surgery, you may be surprised that medical advances have opened the door to less invasive treatments.

By: MEGHAN STREIT

vein care & therapY

Marc Passman, MD and Asso-

ciate Professor of Surgery at

the university of Alabama

at Birmingham, explains that each year

600,000 Americans have deep vein

thrombosis (DVT), blood clots that start

in the legs, travel to the lungs, and can

prove lethal.

Like many DVT/PE victims, Bloom did

not recognize his leg pain as a warning

sign. Other signs include leg swelling,

leg redness and warmth and chest pain.

Once a blood clot in the leg breaks free,

travels to the lung and blocks an artery,

it can cause a fatal pulmonary embolism

(PE). Because about 50 percent of those

stricken by a PE have little warning, they

should be aware of DVT/PE’s dangerous

symptoms and head immediately to an

E.R. unexplained shortness of breath

and intense chest pain that feels like

suffocation are red flags, particularly if

combined with dizziness and coughing

up of blood. “Massive clots often cause

sudden death while smaller clots can

be treated with anticoagulants (blood

thinners),” says Dr. Passman. Certain

patients should not take blood thin-

ners. For them, physicians may use

intravenous heparin or catheterization

to remove the clots.

Surgical and critically ill patients are

at high risk for DVT/PE and hospitals

have worked hard since the Institute

of Medicine’s 1999 report, “The Quality

Chasm”, to assess each person’s throm-

bosis risk and respond appropriately.

“We’ve improved our screening pro-

cedures and implemented treatments

based on the best medical evidence

available. That has decreased mortality

in hospitalized patients,” says Dr. Pass-

man. Patients at low risk may get com-

pression stockings while the elderly,

ICu, and orthopedic patients, at higher

risk, may get anticoagulants, venous

scans, and pneumatic compression.

While PEs strike suddenly, the fol-

lowing risk factors that spell danger

may be avoided with screening and

prevention: testable genetic predisposi-

tions to blood clots, prolonged bed rest,

surgery, leg trauma, pregnancy, cancer,

heart failure, oral contraceptives/HRT,

and a history of DVT/PE.

Concerned for the 100,000 DVT/PE

fatalities each year, the u.S. Surgeon

General issued a “Call to Action” on Sep-

tember 15, 2008 to mobilize patients

and providers. Dr. Passman, national

chairman of the American Venous

Forum’s DVT/PE risk assessment group,

endorses the Call’s goals of increased

awareness and screening for DVT/

PE, evidence-based treatments for

the conditions and more research on

prevention. To find a screening center

near you visit www.veinforum.org (click

to “National Screening Program.”). For

information on DVT/PE risk assessment

go to: www.venousdiseasecoalition.org.

By: EMILy Z. DAyTON

Amjad Alkadri, MD, is an inter-

ventional radiologist special-

izing in laser varicose vein

therapy. He and his colleagues at the

Vein Center of Northwest Indiana in

Merrillville and Valparaiso have per-

formed more than 1,500 endovenous

laser procedures for varicose veins.

“This is not a cosmetic procedure,” Dr.

Alkadri says. “These patients have pain,

numbness, fatigue, and in severe forms,

they get ulcerations.”

Dr. Alkadri says endovenous laser

treatment for varicose veins can cost up

to $1,500 per leg, so he advises people

to check with their insurer to determine

if the procedure is covered.

Medicare pays for most vein proce-

dures. Dr. Alkadri says when Medicare

covers treatments, private insurers

typically follow suit, but often require

documentation and a waiting period.

Insurance companies consider sever-

ity of pain, lifestyle disruption, vein size

and medical complications to deter-

mine whether they will pay for treat-

ments, according to VeinDirectory.org.

Dr. Alkadri says insurance companies

also evaluate whether “conservative

treatment options” have proven unsuc-

cessful before they pay for endovenous

laser treatments or phlebectomies.

Typically, patients may have to wear

compression stockings for six months

before insurance companies will pay

for more aggressive treatment. Dr.

Alkadri says compression stockings are

usually paid for by insurance.

“This has been a struggle with insur-

ance companies,” he says. “Sometimes

when we ask them to cover a proce-

dure they may deny it. Then we send a

letter explaining why it is necessary and

they relent. Documenting the medical

necessity helps,” he adds.

Seeking treatment sooner rather

than later will make dealing with your

insurance company less frustrating,

particularly if your insurer requires

pre-certification for vein treatments.

“Make sure there is a consultation

done ahead of time for medical

reasons so your doctor has all the

information to send to the insurance

company to get it approved,” Dr.

Alkadri says. “Go a month before you

want to get the procedure done.” But,

he says, most insurance companies

approve treatments that physicians

determine are medically necessary.

Spider veins, on the other hand,

don’t typically lead to serious medical

problems, so securing insurance cover-

age for treatments like sclerotherapy

to treat them can be difficult. Medicare

does cover sclerotherapy, Dr. Alkadri

says, and private insurance companies

may cover the treatment if the spider

veins are symptoms of underlying

venous disease.

The Ins & Outs Of Insurance CoverageIt’s a common misconception that varicose and spider veins are simply cosmetic nuisances. People who suffer from these and other venous disease know that they are painful and cause serious complications if left untreated. The good news is that your insurance company will likely cover medically-necessary varicose vein treatments.

By: MEGHAN STREIT

Stopping The Silent Killers: blood clots and pulmonary embolismsSix years ago 39-year-old David Bloom, an NBC correspondent embedded with u.S. Army soldiers in Iraq, dismissed leg cramps as the result of too many hours of long distance flights and confinement in an M88 tank recovery vehicle. Three days later he died suddenly, felled by a pulmonary embolism (PE), a swift killer that claims 100,000 American lives annually.

By: MARLENE PITuRRO, PHD

vein care & therapY

Leg muscles help pump blood

through the veins up to the heart

against the force of gravity. When

a valve in one of these veins weakens,

blood builds up and the vein expands.

Women will most commonly see blue or

purple tangled veins bulging out along

their outer calves and inner thighs.

Dr. Erika ugianskis, MD, a board

certified interventional radiologist as

well as founder and medical director

of the Center for Modern Vein and Skin

Care, asserts that pregnant women

are susceptible to developing varicose

veins on their legs because of hormonal

changes. “As hormone levels in the

blood increase, women are put at risk of

experiencing valve degradation,” says

Dr. ugianskis. Additional factors that

can contribute to varicose veins form-

ing in pregnant women include the

increased amount of blood in the body,

which causes veins to expand, and

pressure from the uterus on surround-

ing veins that leads to congestion in

the veins below the pelvic area. In fact,

the Society of Interventional Radiology

states that pregnancy is one of the

most common factors that speed the

progression of varicose veins in women.

Some women will experience

little or no discomfort as a result of their

varicose veins. However, others will feel

aches and heaviness in their legs, espe-

cially towards the end of the day, as well

as burning, itching and swelling. Family

history is the best predictor of whether

or not a woman will develop varicose

veins and there is no way to completely

prevent them from forming. However,

women who know they are at high risk

can take measures to slow down the

progression of this vein disorder.

Regardless of their inherited risk,

pregnant women should avoid stand-

ing for prolonged periods of time,

remain active with regular exercise,

maintain a healthy diet and elevate

their legs as frequently as possible.

These lifestyle changes will minimize

the chance of varicose veins develop-

ing or worsening. Varicose veins tend

to improve after the woman gives

birth, but they typically worsen during

subsequent pregnancies. Dr. ugianskis

recommends that women notify their

doctor as soon as they notice the

veins forming. During pregnancy, the

most effective treatment option for

varicose veins is to wear compression

hose, which minimize the swelling and

improve circulation. After giving birth,

women can undergo minimally inva-

sive treatments, such as endovenous

laser ablation, if the problem persists

or worsens.

Varicose Veins During PregnancyWhile all women expect changes to occur in their bodies when they are expecting a child, many are unaware that developing varicose veins is a common side effect of pregnancy. Varicose veins, one of the most prevalent types of venous disease, occur when valves that prevent blood from flowing backwards in the vein degrade and cause the vein to dilate.

By: EMILy Z. DAyTON

By: kEN NANuS

Dr. Chiou knows his subject. He

serves as Director of the Vas-

cular and Endovascular team

at the Peoria Vein Center, is certified by

American Board of Surgery for vascular

surgery and is a member of the Society

for Vascular Surgery.

Accurate diagnosis and treatment

of vein conditions require extensive

experience. “Doctors need to be board

certified in a specialty that deals with

veins, either phlebology or vascular

surgery,” said Dr. Chiou. “Someone

who lacks sufficient training or under-

standing about vein pathology may

not be treating the actual source of the

problem,” he continued.

According to the American College

of Phlebology, more than 80 million

Americans suffer from some form of

venous disorder. Latest statistics

from the American Academy of

Cosmetic Surgery (AACS) show that

sclerotherapy, a treatment for varicose

and spider veins, had become the

second most popular procedure in

cosmetic surgery.

Complications of vein stripping, one

procedure used to treat varicose veins

or cosmetic procedures, can include

deep vein thrombosis (DVT).“We have

deep veins, big pipes, next to our

bones. If those pipes fail or receive in-

sufficient treatment it can cause deep

vein thrombosis,” Dr. Chiou explained.

DVT, in turn, can lead to a potentially

fatal pulmonary embolism. American

Heart Association statistics show that

around 600,000 Americans develop

pulmonary embolism each year, and

100,000 die from it.

Dr. Chiou wants patients to know

that “a center that does only one type

of procedure is probably not the right

place. Vein issues can be skin deep,

below skin deep or severe. Centers

that take a comprehensive approach

treat all three types of conditions in-

dividually—even if a person has differ-

ent issues in each leg.” The American

Venous Forum suggests that patients

be sure that any procedure they

undergo accounts for the size of the

veins to be treated, treatment history,

age, history of allergies and the ability

to tolerate anesthesia and surgery.

Dr. Chiou recommends that patients

ask their vein doctor straightforward

questions after researching alterna-

tives. “How many of this type of pro-

cedure have you done? What’s your

complication rate? What med school

did you go to? Where did you learn to

do the procedure? People ask more of

their used car salesman than before

they undergo a vascular procedure.”

Dr. Chiou suggests that patients be

“active consumers. It will make the

health system better, improve qual-

ity and drive down costs. If you ask a

doctor ‘do I need this?’ you may get

other options.”

Patients can learn about vein treat-

ments from the American Vein Forum,

Society for Vascular Surgery, Vein

Directory or the American College of

Phlebology.

Shopping For Vein Treatments? be preparedDo your homework. Research your choices. According to Andy Chiou, M.D., that approach is equally important whether seeking vein treatments or a new car.

...lifestyle changes will minimize the

chance of varicose veins...

vein care & therapY

Panel of Experts

J. GORDON WRIGHT, MD, FACS, RVTFounder and Medical Director Midwest Vein Center

TED kING, MD, FACPH National Medical Director Vein Clinics of America

SCOTT A. RESNICk, MD Associate Professor, Interventional Radiology & Vascular Surgery The Northwestern Vein Clinic

Q: Do non-surgical treatments for varicose veins really work?

A: yes, non-surgical treatments work even better than surgery. In

years past, people suffering from varicose veins had one treatment

option: a painful procedure, that involves surgical tying and strip-

ping of the diseased veins. This may have cured the problem, but

side effects included tissue trauma, scarring, nerve damage, anes-

thesia risks and post surgical infection. The recovery was painful,

long and required bed rest. However, in 1996 a new cutting-edge

laser technology for venous disease was being used in England. I

traveled there to gain exposure and knowledge to this treatment.

As a vascular surgeon who has worked with veins for over 25 years,

I recognized this development in the field. By 2000, the FDA-cleared

laser was available in the uS and I was the first doctor in DuPage

County to offer any type of noninvasive treatment for veins to my

patients. Commonly referred to as Endovenous Laser Treatment,

the procedure is quick, effective and leaves no scar. The technique

requires little downtime and most patients return to normal

activities within 24 hours. This is radically different from vein strip-

ping which in my opinion is now an antiquated procedure that

should not be performed except under extraordinary circumstances.

To schedule a visit with Dr. Wright, please call 888-630-VEIN (8346).

Q: What should vein disease patients look for in a physician?

A: People with vein disease may not know where and how to seek

treatment, particularly with so many available options. Patients

should consider:

• Therightdoctor:Manyhealthprovidersofferveintreatments—

but not all are equally qualified. Patients should seek a phlebolo-

gist, who is uniquely trained to manage venous disorders. As

national medical director of Vein Clinics of America, I ensure our

physicians meet rigorous standards of training and education.

They must complete a four month preceptorship, followed by a

year of intense mentoring. We also require they become certified

by the American Board of Phlebology.

• Insurance coverage:Vein treatment is often covered by insur-

ance; patients should ask whether their provider’s coverage

is accepted.

• Thebestdiagnostics:Itisessentialtofindaspecialistwhoutilizes

ultrasound during diagnosis and treatment, since vein disease is

not always visible on the skin’s surface.

• Comprehensive treatment offering: Patients should choose

a physician who treats a wide spectrum of venous disorders.

Particularly important is finding a specialist who is skilled in both

Sclerotherapy and Endovenous Laser Treatment, a combined

approach that ensures the physician can treat spider and

varicose veins.

Given new, highly effective treatments and favorable insurance

coverage, the outlook for patients with venous disorders has never

been better.

Q: Why seek treatment for your veins at an academic medical

center?

A: Our collaborative multispecialty team provides evaluation

and treatment for a broad range of venous abnormalities. Treated

conditions including varicose veins, spider veins, vein-related leg

and/or pelvic discomfort, venous-origin leg ulceration, and venous

vascular malformations.

Our imaging expertise allows us to treat most patients without sur-

gery, using minimally-invasive techniques such as endovenous laser

vein ablation, sclerotherapy, superficial laser therapy, microphlebec-

tomy, radiofrequency ablation, and transvascular embolization.

Noninvasive vascular imaging is performed on site, within the

Northwestern vein clinic, as indicated, which allows for complete

evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment plan creation in a single visit

for most patients.

Although, in some instances, a trial of conservative therapy is

required prior to treatment before approval for coverage can

be obtained, the majority of insurance carriers allow care for

symptomatic venous abnormalities if the conservative therapy is

not completely effective.

Following treatment, which is performed within the clinic on

an outpatient basis with local anesthesia, return to normal daily

activities can occur immediately with few limitations.

vein care & therapY

Midwest Vein Center

Discover what sets us apart from other vein clinics. Introducing Dr. J. Gordon Wright, MD, FACS, RVT the only vein care provider featured in Chicago Magazine Top Doctor issue for 2010. Chosen by votes from other physicians for this honor, he is among the area’s best MD’s. This recognition is a reflection of the exceptional care provided by the enentire team at the Midwest Vein Center and their commitment to excellence.

Call today to schedule your appointment and experience the care that has made us a Top Doc.

866.630.VEIN (8346)

MidwestVein.com

Meet One of Magazine’sTOP DOCS

Dr. J. Gordon Wright MD, FACS, RVT

Downers Grove • Glenview • Orland Park PHLEBOLOGY’S

TOP D

OC

Discover what sets us apart from other vein clinics. Introducing Dr. J. Gordon Wright, MD, FACS, RVT the only vein care provider featured in Chicago Magazine Top Doctor issue for 2010. Chosen by votes from other physicians for this honor, he is among the area’s best MD’s. This recognition is a reflection of the exceptional care provided by the entire team at the Midwest Vein Center and their commitment to excellence.

Call today to schedule your appointment and experience the care that has made us a Top Doc.

888.630.VEIN (8346)