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Circulatory Centers has opened a second location in Atlanta to service the rapidly expanding customer base.  The new location is conveniently located in the perimeter area at 1 Glenlake Parkway, Suite 950. Like the Roswell office, the new location will offer consultations and treatment for leg pain, swelling and unsightly spider veins and varicose veins.  Led by board certified physician, Lisa Perez, the all-female staff will offer extended office hours to better accommodate patients busy schedules.

By Paul Shields, DO
Circulatory Centers have been the area’s leading experts in vein treatment for over 30 years largely based on one reason, their attention to patient care and focus on vein treatment. As world-class providers in the diagnosis and treatment of varicose veins, our physicians have cultivated a reputation as the leaders in varicose vein care.

Women are more likely than men to suffer from abnormal leg veins. However, both men and women can be affected by varicose veins. Heredity is the number one contributing factor causing varicose and spider veins and more than 30% of American adults are affected by varicose veins. Because puberty, pregnancy, menopause, birth control pills, estrogen, and progesterone affect the disease, up to 50% of American women may be affected at some time in their life. Other predisposing factors include aging, obesity and leg trauma.

Potential complications from untreated varicose veins do exist and their severity will vary from person to person depending on the individual circumstances. Many people will experience continued symptoms of pain, fatigue and swelling of the legs. With more advanced disease, hyperpigmentation (darkening of the skin), lipodermosclerosis (hardened, glistening skin), venous leg ulcers, spontaneous bleeding, superficial thrombophlebitis and a potentially life-threatening condition called deep vein thrombosis can occur.

Veins are tubes that carry blood back to the heart and lungs after tissues have used the oxygen blood carries. This means blood that pools in varicose veins is depleted of oxygen and nutrients. This causes a high pressure setting and veins do not tolerate high pressure. This allows red blood cells and fluid to leak out of the varicose vein and into the tissues of the leg and results in swelling. The red blood cells that leaked into the tissues cause inflammation and hyperpigmentation. After years of increased pressure and blood cells leaking into the tissues, lipodermosclerosis will occur. This results in a thickened, hardened, glossy appearing skin, commonly occurring in the lower leg. Superficial varicose veins may also bleed spontaneously. When left untreated, the skin over the veins can become thin and eventually the vein can be exposed and easily injured by clothing, bedding or furniture. The blood loss from these spontaneous bleeding episodes can be significant.

With chronic venous insufficiency a potential significant complication is a venous leg ulcer. These ulcers are due to increased pressures from underlying varicose veins. They are painful and difficult to heal. Often, these ulcers will not heal until the underlying venous insufficiency or varicose vein is treated.

Inflammation of a vein just below the surface of the skin is called superficial thrombophlebitis. This is caused by inflammation due to abnormal blood flow through the vein and damage to the vein. Thrombophlebitis produces skin redness and a firm, tender, warm vein. Symptoms generally improve in one to two weeks although the firmness of the vein may persist.

Because varicose veins can alter the normal blood flow pattern, another potential complication of venous insufficiency is deep vein thrombosis (DVT). DVT is often first noticed as a pulling or pressure type sensation in the lower leg and can be quite painful. Associated symptoms may also include warmth, redness and swelling. Patients with the following conditions are at a greater risk for developing DVT:

• Over 60 years of age
• Recent surgery
• Prior DVT
• Prolonged inactivity
• Cancer
• Obesity
• Pregnancy and Postpartum
• Infection

Treatment of a DVT involves blood thinners and further medical testing to determine the extent of the clot. If a blood clot travels to the lungs it is called a pulmonary embolus and the outcome can be fatal.

Varicose veins are a progressively deteriorating condition. By the time a patient notices visible varicose veins or experiences symptoms of leg heaviness, nighttime cramping, swelling, achiness, tenderness or has experienced phlebitis, they need to be evaluated by a physician.

Contemporary management of varicose veins and venous insufficiency involves obtaining a comprehensive history, performing a physical examination and evaluating the legs with ultrasound. This is a non-invasive, painless test that will determine if the symptoms are related to underlying venous problems.

Once a thorough evaluation has been performed a detailed treatment plan can be developed. Often times conservative measures are employed and these may include compression (stockings) or anti-inflammatory medications and supplements. In cases where venous insufficiency is identified in the larger veins (Saphenous veins), a minimally invasive laser procedure can be offered. In cases where the varicose veins are not associated with underlying Saphenous insufficiency, sclerotherapy is often recommended. Sclerotherapy involves injecting a medication into the varicose vein to assist the body in closing the vein.

With the evaluation and treatment methods available today, spider veins, varicose veins and venous insufficiency can be treated at a level of effectiveness and safety previously unattainable and frankly unimaginable. Success depends on careful assessment of the problem by a knowledgeable phlebologist (a physician specializing in varicose vein treatment). There are many underlying causes of varicose veins, so successful treatment of a particular vein problem requires a treatment plan developed by a physician who is familiar with the many causes and all potential treatment options.

At Circulatory Centers we focus on customer service and satisfaction. It is our goal to make sure our patients understand the process from the initial consultation, all the way through the treatment process. 95% of all procedures are covered by insurance; each patient is assigned a Patient Account Representative who will help them navigate the often confusing sea of insurance regulations and billing. Our highly trained and friendly staff will provide quality diagnostic testing and treatment parallel to no other in the industry. Our physicians are all board certified and experienced in evaluation and treatment of varicose veins.

In addition to the eight Pennsylvania locations, we also offer 16 other offices in Ohio, Connecticut, Virginia and Georgia. Our Free vein consultation makes diagnosis and treatment convenient. Schedule a Free consultation at 1.800.VARICOSE or visit us at www.veinhealth.com

The Circulatory Center Difference:
• Free Initial Vein Consultation
• An ICAVL Accredited Vascular Laboratory
• State-of-the-art Venous Ultrasound Diagnosis
• Exclusively Tailored of Venus Specialist
• Your Own Patient Account Representative
• Quick, Virtually Painless Treatments
• 95% of all patients are covered by insurance

1.800.VARICOSE .www.veinhealth.com . info@circcenters.com

Circulatory Centers, a premiere practice specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of varicose veins, recently opened a new location in Atlanta, Georgia. This brings the total number of Circulatory Center offices to 23 in five states – including Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Connecticut.

Dr. Lisa Perez will lead all treatments provided in Atlanta. Dr. Perez moved to Atlanta in 2000 and was born and raised in Staten Island, New York. She is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and earned her medical degree from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. She completed her residency in Emergency Medicine at East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina and she is Board Certified in Emergency Medicine as well as a member of the American College of Phlebology and North Fulton Chamber of Commerce.

The new Roswell location will provide treatment for large varicose veins and spider veins by offering non invasive, in-office procedures such as EVLA and sclerotherapy. Circulatory Center’s Registered Vascular Technicians perform duplex ultrasound studies on each patient in order to provide an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan. As such, Circulatory Centers has been awarded accreditation by the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Vascular Laboratories.

“As a physician, I have been impressed with the care and quality of treatment that I observed in working with Circulatory Centers. Their standards relative to patient care were consistent with my approach to practicing medicine. Clearly, they are a leader in their field and I felt that this is a great fit for me both professionally and personally.”

Circulatory Centers President David Gilpatrick is certain that the Atlanta team – under the leadership of Dr. Perez – will offer the same type of high quality patient care that has solidified Circulatory Centers as the leading provider of vein treatment in the Eastern United States over the past 30 years. “Dr. Perez has built a team dedicated to patient satisfaction. As we continue to grow, it’s critical that we partner with practitioners who share the same vision of making every step of the patient experience – from the first telephone call through the insurance process, treatment and follow-up – extremely positive and beneficial.” Dr. Perez’ entire Atlanta staff shares this philosophy.”

In 2010, Circulatory Centers providers performed over 30,000 procedures, a 29% increase over 2009. Their documented success rate in eradicating varicose veins has remained at 97% over the past three years and 95% of all treatments are covered by insurance.

ABOUT CIRCULATORY CENTERS
Founded in 1979 by William G. Katz, M.D., a pioneer in vein care, Circulatory Centers has been recognized nationwide as a premiere provider of venous disease. The Physicians at Circulatory Centers have further refined and improved treatment modalities to the point that large and small veins can be eliminated with in-office procedures. Circulatory Centers are now under the direction of Louis M. Certo, M.D., F.A.C.S. Dr. Certo has been a staff surgeon for Circulatory Centers under Dr. Katz since 1997 when he began his career in Phlebology. He is now widely recognized as one of the foremost vein treatment specialists in the United States.

SHORELINE VEIN & MEDICAL SPA JOINS CIRCULATORY CENTERS

May 6, 2011 Pittsburgh, PA and Old Lyme, CT, Circulatory Centers, a premiere practice specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of varicose veins, recently completed an acquisition of Shoreline Vein Clinic and Medical Spa thereby adding locations in Norwich and Old Lyme, Connecticut. This brings the total number of Circulatory Center offices to 21 in four states – including Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia in addition to Connecticut.

Shoreline was selected primarily due to its reputation for patient care and expertise in the field. Jeffrey Goldblatt, M.D. will remain on-board as Staff Physician and Medical Director of Circulatory Centers’ Connecticut practices. Dr. Goldblatt has a Board Certification in General/Vascular Surgery, as well as, in Phlebology. He has an extensive background in the treatment of venous disease – practicing vein care since 1991. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Surgery and of the American Board of Phlebology, a Fellow of the American College of Surgery and a Member of the American College of Phlebology – the governing body of venous care.

Dr. Goldblatt was very impressed with his visits to Circulatory Centers over the past several months. “The care and quality of treatment that I observed met the same standards that I’ve executed for the past 20 years in CT. I felt that it was time to join a larger group that had management infrastructure in place – along with a reputation for quality medical care – so that I can focus solely on patient treatment. I’m very comfortable that Circulatory Centers was the right practice for me”.

According to Circulatory Centers President David Gilpatrick, this acquisition further solidifies their reputation as the leading provider of vein care in the Eastern United States. “Dr. Goldblatt and his team have been leaders in this field for years. As we continue to grow, it’s critical that we partner with practitioners who share the same vision of making every step of the patient experience – from the first telephone call through the insurance process, treatment and follow-up – extremely positive and beneficial. Every staff member at Shoreline shares that vision.”

In 2010, Circulatory Centers providers performed over 30,000 procedures, a 29% increase over 2009. Their documented success rate in eradicating varicose veins has remained at 97% over the past three years and 95% of all treatments are covered by insurance. Circulatory Center technicians perform duplex ultrasound studies on each patient and, as such, Circulatory Centers is accredited by the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Vascular Laboratories (also achieved by Shoreline Vein Clinic & Medical Spa).

ABOUT CIRCULATORY CENTERS
Founded in 1979 by William G. Katz, M.D., a pioneer in vein care, Circulatory Centers has been recognized nationwide as a premiere provider of venous treatment. The Physicians at Circulatory Centers have further refined and improved treatment modalities to the point that large and small veins can be eliminated with in-office procedures. Circulatory Centers are now under the direction of Louis M. Certo, M.D., F.A.C.S. Dr. Certo has been a staff surgeon for Circulatory Centers under Dr. Katz since 1997 when he began his career in Phlebology. He is now widely recognized as one of the foremost vein treatment specialists in the United States.