Venous Insufficiency Screening and Treatment (EVLT)

North Memorial Heart & Vascular Institute offers vascular ultrasound evaluation for patient’s experiencing from symptomatic varicose veins or venous insufficiencies, a condition in which the veins have problems sending blood from the legs back to the heart. If treatment is recommended, our interventional cardiologist’s use the latest technology known as Endovenous Laster Treatment (EVLT).

The North Memorial Difference

We use the latest technology. North Memorial offers a safe, minimally invasive procedure called Endovenous Laser Treatment (EVLT) that treats venous insufficiency.

Cardiologists – no one else – perform this procedure. North Memorial Medical Center is the only hospital in the Twin Cities to have cardiologists perform this procedure.

Venous insufficiency is a condition in which the veins have problems sending blood from the legs back to the heart. Normally, valves in the veins keep one's blood flowing toward the heart so it does not collect in one place. But the valves in varicose veins are either damaged or missing. This causes the veins to remain filled with blood, especially when standing.

Traditional treatment for venous insufficiency is surgical ligation and stripping of the veins under general anesthesia. At North Memorial, we use Endovenous Laser Treatment (EVLT) to perform this procedure. During ELVT, a doctor uses a thin fiber to emit laser light energy through the vein causing it to close and seal shut. When this is done, blood is automatically routed to healthy veins.

Benefits of EVLT include:

Minimal pain
Little or no downtime
Excellent recovery (one to two days, whereas recovery from traditional treatment takes 14 days)

Frequently Asked Questions about EVLT and Venous Insufficiency

What are the symptoms of venous insufficiency?

Symptoms vary but commonly include:

Ongoing pain that gets worse as you stand
Leg pain, swelling, heaviness
Skin manifestations of varicose veins

Who is at risk for venous insufficiency?

Women are at greatest risk, particularly those between 35 and 70 years of age or who have had multiple pregnancies or hormone replacement therapy. Men ages 50 to 60 are also at higher risk. If one's parent or sibling has this condition, risk also increases.

Is a referral needed?

No, patients can self refer to the consultation/ultrasound screening. To schedule a consultation at Robbinsdale or Maple Grove, call 763-581-5423.

Does insurance cover the consultation/ultrasound & procedure?

Yes, most carriers (including Medicare) provide coverage for the procedure if there is an indication for treatment, such as leg pain, swelling or heaviness, or skin manifestations of varicose veins.

Service is available at:

Venous Insufficiency Screening and Treatment (EVLT)

The North Memorial Difference

Frequently Asked Questions about EVLT and Venous Insufficiency

Heart & Vascular Clinic - Robbinsdale

Heart & Vascular Center - Maple Grove

Heart & Vascular Institute