New Services at UCLA

 UCLA Health has expanded its services to now offer comprehensive varicose vein care at its Santa Clarita Outpatient Center.
Approximately 25 percent of U.S. adults suffer from varicose veins, caused by defective valves involving veins in the lower extremities. The defective valves result in weakening of the vein walls and subsequent enlargement.
Vein disease can range from true varicose veins to reticular and spider veins, which are even more prevalent than true varicose veins. Varicose veins are not always a purely cosmetic issue and may indicate an underlying anatomic or physiologic problem. Symptoms of vein disease can vary, but may include swelling, aching and heaviness or localized burning, itching or skin irritation around the abnormal veins.
Diagnostic ultrasound, an important component of the comprehensive evaluation of vein disease, is now performed at UCLA Health’s outpatient imaging center serving the Santa ClaritaValley. Patients are seen and thoroughly evaluated by a team of experts in venous disease. First-line therapy may include the use of compression stockings. However, when symptomatic varicose veins persist, percutaneous therapy is an option. Both therapeutic foam sclerotherapy — a method to close abnormal superficial veins including spider veins — andlaser ablation to close abnormal veins are now services available at the imaging center.
UCLA Health’s Santa Clarita Outpatient Center is located at 27235 Tourney Rd., suite 1500, in Valencia.  To schedule an appointment for varicose or spider vein evaluation, please call 661-253-5858 or visit www.uclahealth.org/radiology/scic.