Chronic Venous Insufficiency

Chronic Venous Insufficiency

Chronic Venous Insufficiency

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CVI Intro & Pathophysiology - Vein Valve Vexations

  • CVI: Syndrome of chronic impaired venous return, primarily from lower limbs, due to venous hypertension.
  • Core Problem: Incompetent venous valves ("Vein Valve Vexations").
    • Primary CVI (~70-80%): Degenerative valvular reflux; inherent weakness of vein wall/valves.
    • Secondary CVI (~20-30%): Post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) after DVT; or non-thrombotic iliac vein obstruction causing outflow obstruction.
  • Pathophysiological Sequence:
    • Valve failure → retrograde blood flow (reflux).
    • Calf muscle pump dysfunction (failure to ↓ venous pressure during ambulation).
    • Sustained venous hypertension → capillary leakage, leukocyte trapping, inflammation, fibrin cuffing.
    • Manifests as: edema, skin changes (e.g., lipodermatosclerosis, stasis dermatitis/eczema), and ultimately venous ulcers. Normal vs. Insufficient Venous Valve Function in CVI

⭐ Calf muscle pump failure is a key contributor to venous hypertension and CVI progression.

CVI Clinical Picture & CEAP - Leggy Load & Looks

  • Symptoms (Leggy Load):
    • Ache, heaviness, cramps; worse with dependency, better with elevation.
    • Leg swelling, pruritus.
    • 📌 Mnemonic - ACHES: Aching, Cramps, Heaviness, Edema, Skin changes.
  • Signs (Leggy Looks):
    • Telangiectasias (<1 mm), reticular veins (1-3 mm), varicose veins (>3 mm).
    • Edema (pitting).
    • Skin changes:
      • Pigmentation (hemosiderin).
      • Dermatitis/eczema.
      • LDS: induration, 'inverted champagne bottle'.
      • Atrophie blanche.
    • Venous ulcers (medial malleolus, shallow).

    ⭐ Corona phlebectatica (fan-shaped intradermal veins at ankle/foot) is an early sign of advanced CVI (CEAP C4). CEAP Classification System for Chronic Venous Insufficiency

  • CEAP Classification:
    • Clinical (C0-C6, S/A):
      • C0: No signs.
      • C1: Telangiectasias/reticular.
      • C2: Varicose veins.
      • C3: Edema.
      • C4a: Pigmentation/eczema.
      • C4b: LDS/atrophie blanche.
      • C5: Healed ulcer.
      • C6: Active ulcer.
      • (S/A for symptoms)
    • E: Ec (Congenital), Ep (Primary), Es (Secondary).
    • A: As (Superficial), Ad (Deep), Ap (Perforator).
    • P: Pr (Reflux), Po (Obstruction), Pr,o (Both).

CVI Diagnosis & Workup - Vein Viewing Quest

  • Clinical Evaluation:
    • Symptoms: Leg ache, swelling, heaviness.
    • Signs: Edema, varicose veins, skin changes (lipodermatosclerosis, ulceration).
  • Duplex Ultrasound (DUS):
    • Primary diagnostic tool.
    • Identifies reflux & obstruction.

    ⭐ Duplex ultrasound is the gold standard for diagnosing CVI, identifying reflux >0.5s in superficial/perforator veins or >1s in deep veins.

  • Ancillary Tests (selected cases):
    • Venography, Plethysmography (APG), Ambulatory Venous Pressure (AVP).

Duplex Ultrasound: Long Saphenous Vein

CVI Management Strategies - Flow Fixes & Fortifiers

  • Foundation (All CEAP Stages): 📌 Mnemonic: LEGS
    • Leg elevation, Exercise (calf pump), Graduated compression, Skin care.
    • Compression: Key! Stockings (20-30 mmHg for C0-C2, 30-40 mmHg for C3-C6), multi-layer bandages.

      ⭐ Compression therapy (e.g., 30‑40 mmHg stockings) is the cornerstone of CVI management, especially for CEAP C3-C6 stages.

  • Pharmacotherapy (Adjunctive):
    • Venoactive drugs (VADs; e.g., MPFF, diosmin): ↑venous tone, ↓capillary permeability, ↓edema.
    • Pentoxifylline: Aids ulcer healing (↑RBC flexibility). Sulodexide also used.
  • Interventions (For reflux/symptoms; CEAP C2-C6):
    • Endovenous Ablation:
      • Thermal: Radiofrequency (RFA), Laser (EVLA) for axial reflux.
      • Non-Thermal Non-Tumescent (NTNT): Cyanoacrylate, MOCA.
    • Sclerotherapy: Foam/liquid for varicosities, tributaries.
    • Surgery: Ligation & stripping (less common), phlebectomy, SEPS (perforators).
  • Venous Ulcer Care (CEAP C5-C6):
    • Debridement, dressings, sustained high compression, consider pentoxifylline/sulodexide.

Chronic Venous Insufficiency Treatment Algorithm

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • Valvular incompetence and calf muscle pump dysfunction cause venous hypertension.
  • Key symptoms include leg aching/heaviness, edema, and skin changes (e.g., lipodermatosclerosis, hemosiderin staining).
  • Venous ulcers are classically found near the medial malleolus.
  • Duplex ultrasonography is the gold standard for diagnosis.
  • Graduated compression therapy and leg elevation are mainstays of conservative treatment.
  • The CEAP classification is crucial for staging severity.
  • History of DVT is a significant predisposing factor.

Practice Questions: Chronic Venous Insufficiency

Test your understanding with these related questions

Deep vein thrombosis post-operatively is diagnosed by:

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Flashcards: Chronic Venous Insufficiency

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Calf tenderness on squeezing the calf from sides, is seen in DVT: _____ test

TAP TO REVEAL ANSWER

Calf tenderness on squeezing the calf from sides, is seen in DVT: _____ test

Pratt's

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