Cardiovascular system Laser on varicose microveins

The varicose veins are dilated, tortuous, and elongated veins under the skin, which constitute one of the commonest cardiovascular conditions among all of them. They affect about 15% of the general population.

The varicose veins can be divided in proper varicose veins (according to the definition above) and telangiectasias or varicose microveins, which are small reddened little vessels.

Telangiectasias, varicose microveins, or vascular spiders are intradermal capillaries or venules that dilate and occur mostly in the thigh. The cause of their appearance is not very known, but there seems to be an involved hormonal factor, mainly estrogen, and they are commoner in females. They can become symptomatic in menstruation and increase in pregnancy and with the use of oral contraceptives.

Figure 1. Normal vein and varicose vein – dilated and with insufficient valves

The treatment of the varicose veins must be individualized and the judgment must be judicious, as there are no magic formulas applicable to all cases. There is frequently need for associating more than one mode of treatment in a same patient.

More recently, laser and pulsed light (Photoderm) are being used for treating telangiectasias and other benign vascular lesions. This non-invasive treatment is performed by emitting high-intensity light pulses. Such light passes through the skin (protected by a chilled gel) and reaches the vessel, so increasing the blood temperature inside it and injuring the endothelium by a mechanism called as photothermolysis. Consequently, there is the closure of such vessels, with later absorption and clearing. The procedure can be also used in face and neck telangiectasias and hemangiomas.

THE VARICOSE MICROVEINS ARE SMALL REDDENED AND DILATED VESSELS VERY FREQUENT IN THE FEMALE POPULATION. MORE RECENTLY, LASER OR PHOTODERM ARE BEING USED TO TREAT THIS DISEASE, BY NON-INVASIVELY EMITTING LIGHT PULSES THAT CLOSE SUCH VESSELS, WITH LATER ABSORPTION AND CLEARING.

* More information on varicose veins can be found in Cardiovascular System > Diseases > Varicose Veins.

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