The designation RPhS is very important for anyone suffering from venous disease or varicose veins to seek in a treating physician. Varicose veins are caused by faulty valves within the vein.  These valves serve the function of pushing blood back up the vein to the heart. When the valves don’t work properly, blood pools in the veins, resulting in the bulging veins we know as varicose leg veins. Chronic venous insufficiency, as it’s called, is typically treated by thermally closing off the vein via endovenous laser or radiofrequency treatment.

Proper and thorough diagnosis is critical to a successful outcome for a vein treatment procedure. Venous insufficiency is diagnosed via Duplex ultrasound, which combines standard ultrasound technology with Doppler ultrasound. Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images that differentiate between fluid-filled structures and soft tissues of the body. Duplex ultrasound also detects motion and measures the length of time it takes for blood cells to move within the veins. Duplex ultrasound allows the physician to see an image of the shape and structure of the blood vessels. Anyone who has experienced the miracle of childbirth has likely also been befuddled when the obstetrician or ultrasound technician shows the screen and exclaims, “It’s a girl!” 

Ultrasound technicians have undergone extensive training specifically for the use of ultrasound equipment, ensuring that the images on the screen make sense. These professionals will carry the designation of RVT or RVS, short for Registered Vascular Technician or Specialist.  The RPhS designation, short for Registered Phlebology Sonographer, indicates that a person has undergone the traditional RVS training plus minimum additional training of months to years of practice in conjunction with 36 hours or more of continuing medical education (CME) credits.

When researching your vascular surgeon for varicose vein treatment, be sure to also find out the credentials of the diagnostician.  If your vascular surgeon is also designated as RPhS, you can be confident of a very thorough and accurate diagnosis.