Chronic Venous Disease And DVT. Flashcards
What are varicose veins and what causes them?
Dilated, torturous, superficial veins due to transmission of deep vein pressure.
What is the epidemiology of varicose veins?
Around 30% of people age 18-64 but variable. Male female ratio varies. 80% have we bp and reticular veins. Age pregnancy and obesity are risk factors. Family history plays a part.
Why do we get varicose veins following a DVT?
What other conditions also do the same?
It increases deep vein pressure.
Deep vein obstruction and deep valve incompetence.
What are the complications of varicose veins?
Bleeding and bruising. Superficial thrombophlebitis. Chronic venous insufficiency haemosidering deposits, lipodermatosclerosis and ulceration.
What are haemosidering deposits?
Hyperpigmentation on the skin caused by iron deposits. Caused by red cell leakage or red cell breakdown.
What is Lipodermatosclerosis?
Inflammation of subcut fat causing fibrosis and hard skin that may be red or brown. Can be acute or chronic and is caused by white cells.
What are the first aid steps for bleeding varicose veins?
Elevation and pressure.
What is thromboplebitis?
Inflammation of a vein caused by a blood clot. They are quite painful.
What is chronic venous insufficency?
Irreversible skin damage as a result of sustained ambulatory venous hypertension.
What are some causes of venous hypertension?
Superficial reflux Deep reflux - first degree or secondary to DVT. Deep venous occlusion Mixed superficial and deep disease. Perforating vein reflux. Abnormal calf pump.
What is superficial reflux and what veins does it usually effect?
Valve not working properly in the vein causing reflux. Usually long or short saphenous veins.
What two systems can cause an abnormal calf pump?
Can be MSK or neurological causes.
What 2 main issues do duplex scans focus on?
State of the deep veins e.g. Occlusion or incompetence.
Look for saphenofemoral or saphenopoliteal incompetence.
What management do we use of varicose veins?
Non interventional e.g. Info and stockings.
Interventional either surgical or not.
What are graduated compression bandages and what are they used for?
4 layers of bandaging used for ulcers.
What are graduation compression stockings used for and how many classes are there?
Used for ulcer prevention and symptomatic relief. Come in 4 classes with the fourth being of the highest pressure.