The UCSF Venous Center is dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of venous disorders, including common conditions such as varicose or spider veins to more serious conditions such as deep vein thrombosis. Venous disorders refer to defects or damage in the veins, which carry oxygen-rich blood away from the extremities, such as the hands, legs and feet, to the heart.
Venous disorders are exceedingly common, with more than 50 percent of the population developing some form of the disease, such as varicose or spider veins, by age 65. These conditions are often simply unsightly and harmless, but in many cases, can cause leg pain, swelling, phlebitis, non-healing ulcers of the skin and other serious problems. In deep vein thrombosis, clots that break away can lead to death from pulmonary embolism.
Despite the widespread and sometimes serious nature of venous disorders, in many instances they are not aggressively diagnosed or treated. This is due in part to a lack of expertise in treating the conditions and insufficient knowledge about them. At the UCSF Venous Center, vascular surgeons have the experience and training in evaluating and treating a large number of patients with a variety of venous disorders. In the last three years alone, the number of patients at our center has increased ten-fold.
Minimally Invasive Treatments
We offer the most advanced treatments for venous disorders, including minimally invasive approaches, such as radiofrequency (RF) vein ablation, a technique in which a catheter uses microwave radiation to seal veins that have reflux. Venous reflux, also known as venous insufficiency, occurs when venous valves don't function adequately, leading to reversal of blood flow through the valves during standing or sitting. The condition most commonly occurs when vein valves weaken due to genetic influences or multiple pregnancies, among other factors.
In simple cases, treatment for venous reflux can range from making lifestyle changes to use of compression stockings. In more complex cases, surgery may be required to correct the venous reflux and halt the progression of disease in the leg. Traditionally, one of the most common surgical procedures has been vein stripping, in which a vein-stripping tool is pulled through the great saphenous vein, removing the vein from the leg. More recently, vein stripping has largely been replaced by radiofrequency vein ablation.
Radiofrequency vein ablation allows doctors to eliminate venous reflux with a needle puncture that is covered with a Band-Aid. Procedures traditionally used for the condition, such as vein stripping, require painful incisions and a long recovery time. Patients undergoing radiofrequency ablation are back to work in two days, rather than three to four weeks.
One-Stop Appointments
The Venous Center accommodates patients who can't make frequent trips to UCSF. Half of our patients are elderly with limited mobility, while the other half work full-time. We offer a one-stop appointment, in which patients have a thorough clinical evaluation, ultrasound to confirm findings, discussion with their doctor about their diagnosis and treatment plan.
For More Information
For more information or to request an appointment, please call:
(415) 353-2357
Fax: (415) 353-2669
The Venous Center is located at:
400 Parnassus Ave.
Suite A6110
San Francisco, CA 94965