Chronic Venous Disease

Question 1

risk factors of varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency

Answer 1

primary and post pregnancy 
secondary to DVT
age - middle aged/old
obesity 
family history

Question 2

pathology of varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency

Answer 2

dilated
tortuous superficial veins

due to abnormal transmission of deep vein pressure, can be due to;
deep vein obstruction
deep valve incompetence

Question 3

symptoms of varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency

Answer 3

asymptomatic - cosmetic
associated ache
symptoms are remarkably variable;
dilated and tortuous superficial veins, prominent with standing 
seen in groin or behind the knee

Question 4

complications of varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency

Answer 4

bleeding
bruising
superficial thrombophlebitis - inflammation of a vein caused by blood clot (sore, significant, scarring)
chronic venous insufficiency;
haemosidering deposits - red cells leakage, red cell breakdown, haemosiderin (iron)
lipodermatosclerosis - white cells, inflammation, fibrosis
ulceration

Question 5

tests for investigating varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency

Answer 5

colour doppler (duplex scanning);
focus on 2 main issues;
state of the deep veins (occlusions or incompetence)
saphenofemoral or saphenopopliteal

Question 6

treatment of varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency

Answer 6

non-interventional;
information
support stockings

interventional;
endovenous techniques;
foam sclerotherapy
endovenous ablation - mechanical, laser or radiofrequency

surgery;
high tie
distal foam ablation