News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 18, 2009
MEDIA CONTACT: Joyce Brennan
Public Information Officer
Southcoast Health System
Phone: 508-961-5270
Fax: 508-961-5876
Pager: 508-387-9605
brennanj@southcoast.org
www.southcoast.org/news/releases/
Southcoast offers the latest treatment for varicose veins
Free screenings scheduled in Dartmouth and Fairhaven
DARTMOUTH, Mass. — Southcoast Hospitals’ is offering free spider and varicose vein
screenings on Saturday, June 27, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Center for Women’s Health in
North Dartmouth. Appointments are required, please call 1-800-497-1727 to register.
The screenings will identify whether patients are a candidate for the minimally invasive
laser vein ablation treatment called Endovenous Laser Treatment (EVLT®).
Slightly more common in women than in men, spider and varicose veins are unsightly
and cause pain, swelling, fatigue, skin discoloration and non-healing sores. Many people find
they need to sit down in the afternoon and elevate their legs to relieve these symptoms. In more
severe cases, venous insufficiency and reflux can cause darkening of the skin and sores that may
be very difficult to treat.
“The problems arise because the valves in the veins become incompetent, impairing
normal flow of blood from the legs to the heart,” said Michael Merport, MD, Interventional
Radiologist at Southcoast Hospitals Group. “The screening is quick and the results will determine
whether the patient is a candidate for EVLT. This minimally invasive procedure is beneficial to
the patient because it is less invasive and can eliminate the need for surgery or vein stripping.”
Performed by an interventional radiologist, the screening consists of an ultrasound of the
leg to assess the venous anatomy, vein valve function and venous blood flow changes, which can
assist in diagnosing venous insufficiency. These results will determine whether a patient is a
candidate for the quick, minimally invasive procedure.
“The condition is very common. Age, family history of varicose veins and multiple
pregnancies are the most common risk factors accelerating and worsening varicose veins,” Dr.
Merport said. “The EVLT treatment is FDA approved and takes less than an hour to perform. It is
an outpatient procedure that in most cases provides immediate relief of symptoms.”
Patients interested in endovenous laser treatment can call the Center for Women’s Health
at 508-998-0625 to schedule a consultation with an interventional radiologist. More information
on EVLT can be found at http://www.southcoast.org/radiology/evlt.html
In addition to the June screening, Southcoast Hospitals will also be hosting a free
screenings in Fairhaven on Saturday, August 22, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Gloria & Company,
211 Alden Road in Fairhaven. Register by calling Gloria’s at 508-999-1899. Walk-ins are also
welcome.
About Southcoast Health System & Southcoast Hospitals Group
Southcoast Health System is a community based health delivery system with multiple
access points, offering an integrated continuum of health services throughout Southeastern
Massachusetts and East Bay, Rhode Island. It includes the three hospitals that make up
Southcoast Hospitals Group — Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River, St. Luke’s Hospital in
New Bedford and Tobey Hospital in Wareham.
Southcoast provides advanced clinical services, such as open heart surgery, angioplasty
and heart rhythm services, neurosurgery, weight loss surgery, orthopedic surgery and advanced
imaging services. Southcoast is a not-for-profit charitable organization that depends on the
support of the community to provide services.
More information is available online at www.southcoast.org.
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