The NVRA Vein Center

Naugatuck Valley Radiological Associates has taken another step into the future by introducing The NVRA Vein Center. Our new Vein Center opened in August of 2004 in the Pond Place medical Office building located in Prospect, CT. It is headed by Dr. Greg Gersten, Director of Interventional Radiology Services for Naugatuck Valley Radiological Associates and St. Mary's Hospital.

The NVRA Vein Center provides a non-surgical, minimally invasive, laser treatment (ELVS) for people suffering from varicose veins and associated conditions. It is estimated that 25% of women and 15% of men worldwide have varicose veins. In the United States, more than half of adults over the age of 65 suffer from symptomatic or painful, as well as unsightly, varicose veins.

What are Varicose Veins?

There are many causes of varicose veins. The most the common cause are pregnancy, obesity, clots, excessive standing or sitting at work and they can also be hereditary.

Your veins carry blood from the capillaries to the heart. In your leg, this means the blood has to flow upward against gravity. Consequently, these veins have one-way valves to prevent the blood from back flowing.

Over time these valves can fail to close tightly allowing blood to pool and causing the bulging and twisting characteristic of varicose veins.

This often causes blood to pool in smaller veins in the leg giving the additional varicose veins.

How is the ELVS different From Surgery?

Surgery involves considerable preparation, recovery time and pain in the affected area. The medical laser technology used in ELVS eliminates all of that.

ELVS benefits:

• Minimally invasive-meaning the entry point through which the physician gets the target area is extremely small, not even requiring stitches.
• Requires no recovery time. You are able to be up and walking as soon as it is over and resume normal activity.
• Has a low risk of infection.
• Involves minimal discomfort.

How Does ELVS Work?

This minimally invasive procedure utilizes a laser. Lasers work by delivering light energy to targeted tissue and are used in multiple medical fields including dermatology, ophthalmology, and vascular diseases.

In the leg, blood normally flows upward, against gravity, with valves inside the veins usually insuring flow is up the leg and not backwards.

ELVS fixes the underlying problem by delivering laser energy into the vein closing the leak. The body then automatically routes the blood to other healthy veins. The doctor inserts a thin laser fiber into the vein through a sheath and the laser light is emitted through the fiber. While you might feel some unfamiliar sensation, it is not painful.

ELVS is performed as an outpatient procedure under local anesthesia, and takes about 45 minutes. Patients can even walk home, many times returning to work immediately after the procedure.

What is the Preparation for the Procedure?

Before you laser vein procedure:

• Prior to you appointment you will need to purchase the following items: 4" ace bandage; Class 2 compression stockings with squeezing pressure of 40mmHg. The compression stockings can be purchased at various local pharmacies. Our staff can assist you with information on purchasing the compression stockings. Be sure to call the pharmacies two weeks prior to your appointment to ensure availability.
• Shave your leg to the groin.
• Do not use any cream or lotion.
• Shower that morning (you will not be able to shower for 24 hours after the procedure).
• Do not take aspirin or anticoagulant medication 3 days prior to the procedure.

After the procedure:

• You may return to normal daily activities immediately following the procedure. You should avoid heavy lifting and aerobic activity for two weeks.
• Keep the leg elevated when sitting for the first 24 hours.
• The compression stocking is to be worn for 24 hours a day the two week (you may take it off to bathe after the first 24 hours). The second week after the procedure the stocking is worn during waking hours only.
• Bruising is normal. You may feel a "pulling sensation" and/or leg discomfort for the first week of the procedure.
• Please wear the compression stocking for any aerobic activity for one month after the procedure and strenuous activity for the first week after the procedure.

How do I get my Results?

At NVRA, our radiologists will interpret your images promptly and the results will be forwarded to your physician either by phone, fax, and mail and or delivered electronically. Your referring physician will share the results with you.

Where can I Schedule my Venous Ablation?

At NVRA, venous ablation procedures are available at:
(click on the facility for more info i.e. Hours, services, directions)

• NVRA @ Pond Place in Prospect