Cvi (chronic venous insufficiency): symptoms to drugs

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Definition

What is chronic venous insufficiency (CVI)?

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is an interruption of blood flow from the leg veins to the heart. This condition is also called chronic venous insufficiency or chronic venous stasis.

Blood vessels have valves that keep blood flow in one direction, namely to the heart. In people with venous insufficiency, the valves in the leg veins do not function properly, causing fluid buildup in the legs. This condition can lead to various other problems, including varicose veins.

How common is this condition?

CVI is more common in women than men. According to The University of Chicago Medical Center, this condition is also more likely to occur in women ages 40-49 and men ages 70-70. However, this condition can be prevented by avoiding the trigger factors.

Symptoms

What are the symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI)?

The most common features and symptoms of CVI are:

• Swelling of the feet and ankles (edema)
• Pain that gets worse when you stand up, and improves when the leg is lifted
• Leg cramps
• Pain in the leg, or the leg feels heavy
• Itchy feet
• Weak legs
• Thickening of the skin on the feet or ankles
• Discoloration of the skin, especially in the ankle area
• Wounds on the leg
• Varicose veins
• Calves feel tight

There may be symptoms not listed above. Consult your doctor for information about other symptoms.

Cause

What causes chronic venous insufficiency (CVI)?

Chronic venous insufficiency is usually caused by deep vein thrombosis and high blood pressure in the veins in the legs.

What factors increase my risk of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI)?

There are many things that make a person more at risk of developing chronic venous insufficiency, including:

• The presence of a blood clot
• The presence of varicose veins
• Obesity
• Is pregnant
• Smoker
• Have cancer
• Weak leg muscles, or have had a leg injury
• Experiencing superficial vein swelling (phlebitis)
• There are family members who have venous insufficiency
• A sedentary lifestyle (standing or sitting for long periods of time without moving much can cause high blood pressure in the veins in your legs and increase your risk.

Diagnosis

How to diagnose this condition?

The doctor will do a physical exam and check your medical history. Several imaging tests may also be performed, including a venogram and duplex ultrasound.

Venogram

The doctor will inject a contrast dye into your vein to make it clearer on the x-ray.

Duplex ultrasound

This is a test used to measure the speed and direction of blood flow in the blood vessels. Gel is applied to your skin and then a small device called a transducer is attached, which uses sound waves to display a picture of your blood flow to a computer.

How is chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) treated?

The information below cannot be used as a substitute for a medical consultation. ALWAYS consult your doctor for information about medications.

Treatment for chronic venous insufficiency will depend on many things, namely the cause, your medical condition, and your medical history. Other factors your doctor will consider before starting treatment are:

• The specific symptoms you have
• Your age
• The severity of your condition
• How strong is your tolerance for drugs and treatment procedures

The most common treatment for CVI is compression stockings (compression stockings), which is a stocking that can treat varicose or swollen legs, which the doctor prescribes. These elastic stockings put pressure on the ankles and lower legs, helping improve blood flow and reduce swelling.

Compression stockings available in various levels and sizes. Your doctor will determine which type and size is most suitable for you.

Some other ways that can be done to treat chronic venous insufficiency are:

1. Blood flow

How to improve blood flow that you can do:

• When sitting or sleeping, lift your leg and prop it up with a pillow so that it remains on top.
• Use compression stockings.
• Avoid crossing your legs when sitting.
• Get regular exercise.

2. Medicines

Medicines that can help treat CVI are:

• Diuretics, or medicines that make your body release more fluids (usually through urine).
• Anticoagulants, or drugs that thin the blood.
• Pentoxifylline, a drug that improves blood flow.

3. Operations

In more serious conditions, chronic venous insufficiency requires surgery to treat it. Operations that can be done are:

Surgery to repair blood vessels or valves

• Remove damaged blood vessels.
• Endoscopic surgery: The doctor will insert a thin tube with a camera in it to help see and tie the varicose veins.
• Vein bypass: A transplant using a healthy blood vessel that is taken from another part of your body. This procedure is usually used only if the upper thigh is affected, or for a condition that is very severe and cannot be treated by other means.
• Laser surgery: This new treatment method uses lasers to reduce or seal off damage to blood vessels, using light. This procedure does not require surgery.

Ambulatory phlebectomy

This procedure is the surgical removal of varicose veins. The doctor will anesthetize a small area of ​​your leg, then prick and remove a small varicose vein. This procedure can be done briefly without the need for hospitalization.

Sclerotherapy

This is a treatment for chronic venous insufficiency that is already severe. The doctor will inject a chemical into the damaged blood vessel, so it will stop functioning. In effect, blood will flow to the heart through other blood vessels, while the damaged blood vessels will slowly be absorbed by the body. This procedure can be used if the damaged blood vessels are small or moderate in size.

Catheter procedure

In severe cases, the doctor will use a catheter for larger blood vessels. The catheter (thin tube) will be inserted into the blood vessel, heated by the tip, then removed. The heat will cause the blood vessels to close when the catheter is pulled out.

Prevention

What can be done to prevent chronic venous insufficiency (CVI)?

If anyone in your family has had CVI, there are a number of things you can do to prevent it from happening to you:

• Do not stand or sit in the same position for long periods of time. Stand and move every few minutes.
• Do not smoke.
• Get regular exercise.
• Keep your weight so you don't overdo it.

Please consult your doctor for more information.

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