Treatment
Mechano-chemical ablation
(moca)
what is mechano-chemical ablation (MOCA)?
ClariVein, also called mechanochemical ablation, is a technique used to treat venous insufficiency, including varicose or spider veins, without the use of laser energy. This is a catheter-based treatment that simultaneously uses mechanical and chemical methods to treat the injured area.
Endovenous laser treatment can eliminate the appearance of varicose veins, but the cause of this condition must be sought and treated more extensively.
Unfortunately, laser treatment cannot treat veins that are too small, twisted and/or close to the surface of the skin. For these cases, sclerotherapy is probably a better option.
what are the benefits of clarivein?
The ClariVein® procedure is less invasive than other vein treatments available for venous insufficiency because it does not require multiple incisions or multiple anesthesia injections. This is a non-thermal treatment method, meaning it does not use laser energy to close damaged veins.
what to expect from the procedure?
The ClariVein procedure works by internally treating the affected veins through a very small incision, which is usually made in the upper thigh area. During the procedure, a medical catheter with a rotating fiber on its end is inserted into the vein. Once the device reaches the damaged vein, the fiber begins to rotate. As the fiber rotates, it gently removes the lining of the damaged vein while providing a medical solution to treat the underlying cause. The catheter will continue to rotate for several minutes and there may be a slight buzzing sensation near the affected area, but it should not cause much pain or discomfort. Unlike EVLA and sclerotherapy, which each use a single method to close an injured vein, ClariVein uses two modalities to treat the injured vein and the underlying cause of the injury.
The procedure is performed with local anesthesia and usually takes about 30 minutes. Since no large incision is made the likelihood of scarring or bruising is very small. After treatment with ClariVein, patients can return to their normal activities almost immediately.
what to expect after the procedure?
After ClariVein treatment, you may experience:
Mild discomfort: not all people experience this, but some may experience a mild, sick feeling or restlessness for a few days after treatment. This mild discomfort lets us know that your treatment is working. The degree of discomfort is related to the initial size and amount of diseased veins. Pain is usually reduced by walking, gentle stretching and lifting. If you experience more than mild discomfort, contact the specialist who performed the procedure immediately.
Small spider veins: You may notice a few small spider veins appearing just under the skin. This can happen when ClariVein® closes the damaged veins and blood is redirected to other, healthier veins. During this process, small pieces of blood can be directed to small blood vessels. Your angiologist may recommend sclerotherapy after the last session to remove superficial veins.
Slight discolouration:A few days after treatment you may notice slightly darker patches on your legs that may look like bruises, which will go away on their own.
If you are concerned about a symptom not mentioned above, please call anytime. Dr. Shah will be happy to answer any questions you have about your treatment to make sure you recover well.
