WHAT IS C.H.I.V.A. ?

A Revolution in the Treatment of Varicose Veins: The C.H.I.V.A.* technique cures varicose veins without removal or destruction of the vein.

* CHIVA is the French abbreviation for "Cure Conservatrice et Hemodynamique de l´Insufficience Veineuse en Ambulatoire", meaning a therapy (cure) which preserves veins and restores the hemodynamics for insufficient veins on an outpatient basis (described by Dr. C.Franceschi in 1988).

Conservative because it  preserves the saphenous veins and by suppressing  the hemodynamic overload  it normalizes the venous flow and make varicose vein disappear. To save the long  saphenous vein for an eventual future grafting is important: increased longevity has
led to an increased number of elderly persons and, consequently, to an increased occurrence of complications resulting from degenerative diseases such as coronary or extremity arterial atherosclerosis which may benefit of a venous grafting

.
Hemodynamic because is based on the concept that varicose veins are the symptoms  of an hemodynamic disorder.

CHIVA is a minimally invasive (i.e. preserving veins) surgical strategy guided by ultrasound and performed under local anesthesia for the treatment of patients with varicose vein disease.

CHIVA is the most effective therapy for our patients which not only preserves veins from destruction and has a low relapse rate but is also comfortable for patients and gives the best cosmetic results. Veins are precious; they may serve for emergency by-pass.

In varicose veins the blood flows are reversed. Conservative treatment corrects the blood flow by using ligatures of specific blood vessels. It is based on a duplex ultrasound examination which allows the physician to create a precise map of the patient's venous anatomy and blood flow and, therefore, determine how to correct it. In summary, the CHIVA technique allows for:

·     Highly efficient cure for venous insufficiency and varicose veins
·     Restoration of normal vein function
·     All veins can be preserved and eventually used for  coronary or limbs by-pass
·     Very safe and pain free - no complications as in larger surgery
·     Local anesthesia which allows the preservation of nerves and lymphatics.
·     Only few 2mm cuts - perfect cosmetic result
·     Just minimal intervention – reduced tendency for recurrence of varicose veins
·     No narcotics, no general anaesthesia
·     No hospital stay, no bed rest
·     No loss of working time or social activity
·     Less expensive than "vein stripping" or laser, radiofrequency and other techniques
·     Applicable to almost every case of varicose veins