Steve Elias, MD, FACS, FACPh
Steve Elias MD FACS FACPh is the Director of The Centers for Vein Disease at Manhattan's Columbia University Medical Center and at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center in New Jersey. His academic appointments include Associate Professor of Clinical Surgery at Columbia University Medical Center. Dr. Steve Elias was recently named by VEIN Magazine as one of the 25 most influential professionals in vein care worldwide and voted “Best Doctor” in 2009 and 2010 by New York Magazine. He has been named by Castle Conolly as Top Doctor in the New York Metropolitan Area for the last 8 years.
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VeinGogh The New Non Invasive Treatment for
Unattractive Spider Veins
Specialist Dr. Steve Elias Champions Innovative Treatment
The numbers are staggering --nearly half of all women and 20 percent of men will suffer from some type of vein disease during their lifetime. Unattractive spider veins and painful varicose veins are major sources of discomfort and frustration... Learn More
ClariVein© Catheter for Varicose Veins: Clinical Trial Final Results Announced Clinical Trial Conducted
by Dr. Steve Elias
Results from the initial clinical trial of the ClariVein® catheter, used in a new minimally invasive treatment for varicose veins, have been announced. The device combines mechanical and chemical modalities to accomplish vein treatment in an in-office setting... Learn More
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT VEIN DISEASE
Approximately 40% of women and 20% of men will develop some type of vein disease during their lifetime. Vein disease increases with age. Vein disease can range from small unsightly spider veins to large painful varicose veins. Complications such as phlebitis (inflammation), blood clots, bleeding or ankle ulcers can occur in a small group of patients. Patients seek treatment for a variety of reasons: cosmetic appearance, symptomatic veins, or complications as mentioned previously.
The job of the veins is to bring blood back to the heart from the legs. Inside the veins there are one way valves (check valves) that normally direct the blood upwards only. When you walk, your muscles pump the blood up the veins from your legs. When standing or sitting gravity wants to pull the blood down your legs, the one way valves close so blood cannot leak back. In people with vein disease, the one way valves don’t close all the way. Blood leaks back down and pools in the legs causing aching, throbbing, heaviness or swelling. People with vein disease typically feel good in the morning since their legs have been elevated when sleeping and get worse as the day progresses.
The goal of the Phlebologist (vein specialist) is to help patients look better, feel better, and prevent any complications of vein disease. There are many minimally invasive treatments available. These are discussed in the treatment section. Most importantly, patients should recognize that vein disease can be a progressive condition and a vein specialist (Phlebologist) should be consulted to give you the best overall understanding of your vein disease.