Chronic Venous Insufficiency and Ulcers Flashcards
What are Varicose Veins?
Tortuous, dilated, superficial!! veins a/w venous HTN and incompetent valves
Which veins have valves? Superficial or Deep veins
Both have valves but deep veins have more valves and theyre more functionally significant for venous return.
Honours: The Perforators have good valves as well. So the main places for valves are the deep and perforators. That is why superficial veins are harvested for grafts
How many perforators are there in the LL
It varies from person to person but there are (variations are common)
1 or 2 in the thigh
3 in the leg
Is chronic venous insufficienct more common in men or women?
Males tend to have deep vein reflux whereas females tend to have superficial vein reflux => why varicose veins are more likely in women
Males tend to have deep vein reflux whereas females tend to have superficial vein reflux => why varicose veins are more likely in women
What are the main deep veins of the lower limb. State the in the order of flow
What are the main superficial veins of the LL?
Indicate where the superficial veins drain into the deep ones
Deep veins are Tibial -> Popliteal -> Femoral -> Iliac
Superficial are the Lesser and Greater Saphenous veins
1) The LSV drains into the popliteal vein and SPJ (Saphenopopliteal junction)
2) The GSV drains into the femoral vein at the SFJ (Saphenofemoral junctions)
3) The 3 Leg perforators are between the LSV and Tibial vein (sometimes popliteal)
4) The 1/2 Thigh perforators are between the GSV and Femoral vein
Which veins run between the muscle compartments of the leg (e.g. gastronemus)
Deep veins
What role does intra–abdominal pressure play in chronic venous insufficiency?
Give a few examples that would serve as RFs
Increased intra-abdominal pressure means that there is increased resistance to venous return to the heart
=> Pregnancy, Obesity, smoking, Ace inhibitors lead to chronic venous insufficiency
List the RF for chronic venous insufficiency
You are in a long case with a patient with clear varicose veins. The consultant asks you what are the main sites of reflux in this patient. What will you say?
SFJ
SPJ
Perforators
AKA wherever the superficial and deep system meet
Using pathophysiology, give the signs and symptoms of Chronic venous insufficiency
You are asked to perform an examination in a long case for a patient with a history of chronic venous insufficiency
What position should the patient be in during the exam?
What findings are you looking for?
Patient must be in a standing position
What are the complications of Chronic venous insufficiency and varicose veins?
You are asked to take a history from a patient with obvious varicose veins. What should you elicit
Sx, complications, and Rf
Use the image to confirm
How would you diagnose chronic venous insufficiency?
What if youre unsure?
Clinically alone
Hx + exam including abdomen, pelvis, and trendelenberg test…
If unsure, Doppler/Duplex US may be used
Investigations are not performed in the diagnosis of chronic venous insufficiency other than supportive tests for etiology etc…
What is the Gold standard investigation? When is it used?
Duplex US (not doppler) used as gold standard when
1) Insufficient clinical exam for diagnosis
!!2) If patient is a candidate for surgery in order to plan and map out anatomy!!
What does TED stand for?
Thromboembolic Deterrent stocking
You are trying to decide which stockings are best to put on a patient with chronic venous insufficiency. What options are there in general and which one is best for this case.
Answer includes a lot of information about each. There is another time this comes in surgical miscellaneous asking about them all
Grade 1 = White/yellow = TEDs = VTE prophylaxis (15-20mmHg)
Grade 2 = Brown/Blue = Venous insufficiency (20-25) NOTE: brown is used here according to the lecture.
=> we use this
Grade 3 = Brown/Green = Lymphoedema (or severe venous insufficiency) (25-35)
Extra cuz rarely actually used:
Grade 4 = Purple = Very severe lymphoedema/venous insufficiency (40+)
Nice extra note: these are 3 sizes for each (S,M,L) instead of what it used to be which was specific measurements
You have chosen grade 2 stockings for venous insufficiency. Will you prescribe it below the knee or above the knee and why?
What information will you provide to the patient when prescribing them?
Below the knee due to better compliance and more comfortable
Wear all day except when going to bed.
Apply moisturiser or lubricant overnight after taking it off
Do not wash with hot water as it is nylon based
What is the conservative management for all patients with chronic venous insufficiency?
Compression stockings are considered medical but wont be completely wrong to state it here
What is the medical management for all patients with chronic venous insufficiency?
What about if they have a hx of DVT?
What are the indications for surgical management of chronic venous insufficiency?
1) Cosmetic
2) Symptomatic to prevent complications
3) Hx of Complications
4) Recurrent varicose veins