Endovenous Laser Treatment (EVLA)
You may be familiar with the phrase, “There are only two guarantees in life: Death and taxes.” But perhaps we should add varicose veins to that short list - Carolina Vein Specialists
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EVLA / EVLT - Endovenous Laser Ablation Treatment For Varicose Veins Information
EVLA is used to treat an underlying venous reflux problem in veins higher up and deeper in the leg which are contributing to the presence of varicose and thread veins rather than treating the veins themselves... The advantage of EVLA is that it offers a ‘walk-in, walk-out’ option for treating varicose veins and venous reflux problems, without a need for operating theatres and overnight stays. However, it is not a one size fits all solution and can often be combined with other treatment techniques, including sclerotherapy and micro sclerotherapy to truly address an individual’s problems.
The results of EVLA have been shown to last longer than those which can be achieved through vein…
Articles of Interest
EVLT: What You Need to Know
Endovenous laser treatment (EVLT or ELT), also known as endovenous laser ablation (EVLA), is a minimally invasive procedure that treats varicose veins. These large, often bulging veins are created by venous insufficiency or venous reflux disease, which happens when the valves in your veins don’t work properly.
Commonly Used Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA) Parameters Do Not Influence Efficacy: Results of a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Several treatment options are available for patients with great saphenous vein (GSV) incompetence. In accordance with current guidelines, endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) and other endovenous thermal ablation (EVTA) techniques have replaced high ligation and stripping as the first treatment choice for incompetent saphenous veins in many countries, as they have proven to be highly effective. The overall success rate of EVLA is proven to be high (92%), confirming that EVLA is a highly effective treatment for incompetent GSVs, also with increasing follow up.
Comparable Effectiveness of Endovenous Laser Ablation and High Ligation With Stripping of the Great Saphenous Vein
Both EVLT and HLS are comparably safe and effective procedures to treat GSV incompetence. The significantly higher rate and the course of duplex-detected saphenofemoral recurrences after EVLT remain a matter of further investigations.
Endovenous laser ablation
Endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) is a less invasive alternative to vein stripping. Outcomes seem equal to, or better than, those with stripping, with better quality of life scores in the post-operative period. EVLA has been shown to correct or significantly improve hemodynamic abnormality in patients with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) with superficial venous reflux. Early reports suggest that endovenous ablation techniques, in contrast to surgical stripping, are associated with a low incidence of neovascularization.
EndoVenous Laser Ablation (EVLA / EVLT ™)
EVLA does NOT treat the bulging veins on the surface (the varicosities). EVLA stands for Endovenous Laser Ablation. It is often called EVLT, or endovenous Laser Therapy. It is a method of treating varicose veins using laser under local anaesthetic – and has many advantages over the old and out of date stripping method of surgery.
Endovenous laser ablation or radiofrequency ablation for varicose veins: a review
EVLA is a minimal invasive procedure in which a percutaneous laser fiber is introduced within the incompetent varicose vein resulting in non thrombotic occlusion and inflammation of the vein. The major mechanism of EVLA is the conversion of absorbed light energy into heat either through direct absorption of the laser power emitted from the fiber into the blood and perivenous tissues or through direct contact between the fiber tip and the vein wall.
Endovenous Laser Therapy (EVLT) for the Saphenous Vein
Endovenous laser therapy is mainly indicated for the treatment of varicosities in the saphenous veins mainly caused by high blood pressure within the vein walls. Factors such as hormonal changes, obesity, lack of physical activity, prolonged standing, and pregnancy can increase the risk of varicose veins.
EVLT: The Premier Varicose Vein Treatment
EVLT is powerfully effective because it doesn’t just treat the veins, it also gets to the root of what causes them.
Long-term outcomes of endovenous laser ablation and conventional surgery for great saphenous varicose veins
Current guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence in the UK, the Society for Vascular Surgery and American Venous Forum, and the European Society for Vascular Surgery recommends endovenous thermal ablation in the form of endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) or radiofrequency ablation as first-line treatment for symptomatic superficial venous incompetence (SVI).
Varicose Vein Treatment: Endovenous Laser Therapy
Endovenous laser ablation is used in the treatment and management of varicose veins from chronic venous disease. The main indication for this treatment is disease that is refractory to conservative therapy with compression stockings.
What is endovenous laser ablation (EVLA)?
Endovenous laser ablation is a method of treating varicose veins using a laser and guided imaging to close damaged veins. While it treats underlying veins that lead to the bulging varicose veins that we see on the surface, EVLA alone doesn’t treat the visible surface veins. However, it is one of the best methods of treating the underlying veins to prevent more lumpy surface veins from appearing.
What is the difference between EVLA and EVLT® for varicose vein treatment?
EVLA is short for endovenous laser ablation.EVLA is regarded as the gold standard varicose vein treatment by the National Institute for clinical excellence. EVLA involves using thermal energy from a laser fibre to heat up and seal varicose veins from the inside. EVLA it’s not a registered trademark, unlike EVLT which is more properly termed EVLT® or EVLT™. EVLT stands for endovenous laser therapy or endovenous laser treatment. EVLT refers to the original technique that used an older type of varicose vein laser to treat varicose veins over 20 years ago. Since then, many other laser manufacturers have released their own modified systems and the term EVLA has gradually replaced EVLT as the accepted description for varicose vein laser treatment.
Resources
3 Advantages of Endovenous Laser Ablation Therapy (EVLT)
EVLT only takes about an hour, and most patients can resume normal activities immediately without having to be admitted to a hospital. After an EVLT procedure, doctors usually recommend patients wear compression socks during the recovery process to aid circulation. This decreases the amount of bruising or swelling that can happen after the procedure. The doctor usually performs an ultrasound the following week to make sure no clots have formed in the treated veins.

