Glossary of Vein Conditions and Treatments

Understand Common Terms in Vein Health, Chronic Venous Insufficiency, and Vein Treatments

At USA Vein Clinics, we’re committed to patient education. This glossary explains medical terms related to vein disease—from chronic venous insufficiency to modern treatment options like radiofrequency ablation and ClariVein. Use it to better understand your diagnosis or treatment options.

A

Ablation Therapy: A minimally invasive procedure using heat (radiofrequency or laser) to seal diseased veins and reroute blood flow.
Ambulatory Phlebectomy: An outpatient procedure to remove surface varicose veins through small punctures in the skin.

C

Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI): A long-term condition where blood pools in the legs due to damaged vein valves, often causing varicose veins and leg swelling.
Compression Therapy: The use of graduated compression stockings to support circulation and relieve vein disease symptoms.
ClariVein®: A non-thermal vein treatment combining mechanical agitation and sclerosant injection to close diseased veins.

D

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): A dangerous condition involving a blood clot in a deep vein, typically in the legs, that can lead to a pulmonary embolism.
Duplex Ultrasound: A non-invasive imaging test that assesses blood flow and detects vein valve problems or blood clots.

E

Endovenous Laser Treatment (EVLT): A laser-based procedure that closes varicose veins from the inside, redirecting blood flow to healthy veins.
Edema: Swelling in the lower legs and feet caused by fluid buildup, commonly linked to chronic venous insufficiency.

I

Insufficiency (Venous): A condition where vein valves don’t close properly, leading to backward blood flow and symptoms like varicose veins.

M

Microphlebectomy: A technique for removing large surface varicose veins through tiny incisions under local anesthesia.
Minimally Invasive Vein Treatment: Modern, outpatient vein procedures like RFA, EVLT, and sclerotherapy that require no hospitalization or stitches.

P

Peripheral Venous Disease: A broad term for vein conditions affecting the legs, including CVI and varicose veins.
Phlebitis: Inflammation of a vein, often associated with clotting or injury, causing pain, redness, and swelling.

R

Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA): A treatment that uses heat from radio waves to close malfunctioning veins and improve circulation.