For the millions of Americans living with varicose veins, finding effective treatment options that don't require lengthy hospital visits has been a growing priority. Dr. Michael J. Sassman, an interventional radiologist at CU Medicine Interventional Radiology - Highlands Ranch at Ridgeline Medical Campus, is helping patients discover minimally invasive solutions that can transform their lives.
"Varicose veins aren't just a cosmetic concern," explains Dr. Sassman. "They can cause significant discomfort, swelling and even lead to more serious complications if left untreated."
Understanding varicose veins
Varicose veins develop when valves in the veins malfunction, causing blood to pool and veins to enlarge. While they commonly appear in the legs, these twisted, bulging vessels can affect other parts of the body as well. Risk factors include age, pregnancy, obesity and prolonged standing or sitting.
“There’s three major venous systems in our legs. The deep veins, the superficial veins and the perforating veins. All of these veins have valves that are supposed to prevent the backward flow of blood. When something damages those valves, they start to develop varicose veins,” shares Dr. Sassman.
Interventional radiology approach to varicose veins
At CU Medicine Interventional Radiology – Highlands Ranch at Ridgeline Medical Campus, providers employ state-of-the-art techniques and equipment in a comfortable outpatient setting. "Modern interventional radiology allows us to treat varicose veins through needles and small catheters, with most patients returning to their normal activities the same day," says Dr. Sassman.
The outpatient procedures offered include:
- Endovenous laser treatment (EVLT)
- Radiofrequency ablation
- Non-thermal ablation (VenaSeal™)
- Ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy
- Microphlebectomy
These minimally invasive treatments typically take a short amount of time, with patients walking out of the clinic the same day. Recovery times are significantly shorter compared to traditional surgical approaches.
Image-guided precision
As an interventional radiologist, Dr. Sassman specializes in using advanced imaging technology to guide procedures with exceptional precision. "Imaging and ultrasound guidance allows us to visualize the treated veins before and in real-time, ensuring optimal placement and effectiveness of our treatments," he notes. This imaging expertise is particularly valuable in performing endovenous procedures and ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy.
Patient-centered approach
“The beautiful part of the office-based lab is that we have everything we need diagnostically and for treatment,” shares Dr. Sassman.
The clinic's comfortable outpatient setting helps reduce anxiety and provides a more relaxed environment compared to traditional hospital settings. This approach has led to high patient satisfaction rates and improved outcomes.
About interventional radiology
Interventional radiology is a medical sub-specialty of radiology using minimally invasive image-guided procedures to diagnose and treat diseases in almost every organ system. Interventional radiologists diagnose and treat patients using the latest minimally invasive techniques in order to minimize risk to the patient, improve health outcomes and have less pain and less recovery time in comparison to open surgery. The range of diseases and organs amenable to image-guided procedures are extensive and constantly expanding and include but are not limited to diseases and elements of the vascular, gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary, genitourinary, pulmonary and musculoskeletal systems. Interventional radiology physicians provide patient evaluation and management relevant to image-guided interventions.
Learn more and schedule an appointment at CU Medicine Interventional Radiology – Highlands Ranch at Ridgeline Medical Campus.
