Patient resources

Understanding varicose veins

Symptoms, causes, risks and treatments. Clear answers written for patients and reviewed by vein specialists.

All definitions

Strategy

CHIVA method

A hemodynamic vein-preserving strategy that reduces pressure columns at the escape points instead of removing the vein.

Mechanism

Venous reflux

The reversal of blood flow through valvular incompetence, pathological beyond 0.5 seconds in the superficial network.

Anatomy

Great saphenous vein

The main superficial venous trunk of the lower limb, the most frequent seat of reflux and main treatment target.

Mechanism

Thermal vein closure

Collagen denaturation of the vein wall by heat, causing retraction then occlusion, up to 90°C at the focal point.

Pathology

Chronic venous insufficiency

Lasting ambulatory venous hypertension of the lower limbs, graded from C0 to C6 by the CEAP classification.

Pathology

Telangiectasias (spider veins)

Intradermal venous dilations smaller than 1 millimeter, stage C1 of the CEAP, outside the indication of HIFU treatment.

Pathology

Venous leg ulcer

The most advanced complication of chronic venous insufficiency, stage C6 of the CEAP classification.

Management

Non-surgical varicose vein treatment

The family of reflux management options without stripping or incision, ranked by degree of breach.

Modality

HIFU treatment of varicose veins

Non-invasive, from outside the body: focused ultrasound applied to superficial venous reflux, under CE marking.

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