Varicose Veins Flashcards
what are varicose veins?
dilated, tortuous, superficial veins that occur secondary to incompetent venous valves, allowing blood to flow back, away from the heart
where do varicose veins most commonly occur and why?
legs
dur to the reflux in the great saphenous vein and small saphenous vein
what are the risk factors for varicose veins?
- increasing age
- female
- pregnan y - uterus causes compression of the pelvic veins
- obesity
how do varicose veins present?
- aching
- throbbing
- itching
- worse at the end of the day
- bleeding
- superficial thrombophlebitis
- venous ulceration
- DVT
what skin changes are seen in varicose veins?
- varicose eczema (e.g. venous stasis)
- haemosiderin disposition –> hyperpigmentation
- lipodermatosclerosis –> hard/tight skin
- atrophie blanche –> hypopigmentation
what investigation should be done to confirm varicose veins?
venous duplex ultrasound
demonstrate retrograde venous flow
what is the conservative management of varicose veins?
- leg elevation
- weight loss
- regular exercise
- graduated compression stockings
what are the reasons to refer varicose veins to secondary care?
- troublesome lower limb symptoms
- previous bleeding from varicose veins
- skin changes secondary to chronic venous insufficiency
- superficial thrombophlebitis
- active or healed venous leg ulcer
what are the surgical treatments for varicose veins?
- endothermal ablation
- foam sclerotherapy
- surgery - ligation or stripping
what is foam sclerotherapy?
irritant foam –> inflammatory response –> closure of the vein
