Vein disease terms

CVI — Chronic Venous Insufficiency

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is a condition in which the leg veins fail to return blood to the heart efficiently, so blood pools in the lower limbs. It results from failed vein valves and causes swelling, heaviness, skin changes and, in advanced cases, ulcers.

Venous reflux

Venous reflux is the backward flow of blood in the veins caused by faulty valves. Instead of moving toward the heart, blood falls back down and pools — this is the core mechanism behind varicose veins and venous insufficiency.

DVT — Deep Vein Thrombosis

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is the formation of a blood clot in a deep vein, usually in the leg. It is a medical emergency that can cause swelling and pain and, in severe cases, a pulmonary embolism requiring immediate care.

IVC — Inferior Vena Cava

The inferior vena cava (IVC) is the largest vein in the body, returning blood from the lower body to the heart. Note: the same initials, IVC, also stand for our clinic — Israel Vein Center.

Superficial vs deep veins

Superficial veins lie close to the skin surface, while deep veins run between the muscles and carry most of the blood. Varicose veins develop in the superficial system, whereas DVT occurs in the deep system.

GSV / SSV — Saphenous veins

The great saphenous vein (GSV) and small saphenous vein (SSV) are the main superficial veins of the leg. They are the veins most often involved in varicose veins and venous insufficiency, and the ones treated by ablation.

CEAP classification

The CEAP classification is a medical scale that grades the severity of vein disease from C0 (no visible signs) to C6 (an active venous ulcer). It helps doctors describe the state of the veins and plan treatment.

Spider veins / telangiectasias

Spider veins (telangiectasias) are tiny, dilated veins visible just under the skin, usually red, blue or purple. They are mainly a cosmetic concern and respond well to sclerotherapy.

Varicocele

A varicocele is an enlargement of the veins in the scrotum, similar to varicose veins in the legs. It is most common on the left side and can affect fertility. Learn the symptoms of a varicocele.

Tests and anatomy terms

Doppler vs Duplex

A Doppler study measures the speed and direction of blood flow, while a duplex scan combines a standard ultrasound image together with that Doppler information. In practice, most vein studies today are duplex scans.

Artery vs vein

Arteries carry blood away from the heart to the tissues under high pressure, while veins return blood back to the heart under low pressure using one-way valves. Varicose veins and venous insufficiency are problems of the veins only.

Treatment methods

RFA — Radiofrequency Ablation

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive thermal treatment in which heat from radio waves seals the diseased vein from the inside. It is performed under local anesthesia with a fast recovery.

EVLA — Endovenous Laser Ablation

EVLA (endovenous laser ablation) is a widely used treatment for varicose veins in which laser energy seals the diseased vein. It is the procedure performed in hospitals via kupat holim tofes 17.

VenaSeal — Medical adhesive

VenaSeal is a varicose vein treatment that uses a medical adhesive (cyanoacrylate) to seal the vein, with no need for tumescent anesthesia or compression stockings afterward.

Sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy is the injection of a sclerosant into the target vein, causing it to close and gradually disappear. It is the standard treatment for spider veins and small varicosities.

Embolization

Embolization is a minimally invasive procedure in which a diseased vein is blocked from the inside using a coil or sealing agent through a tiny catheter. It is used to treat varicocele and pelvic vein insufficiency.