Varicose Veins

Question 1

Clinical Features?

Answer 1

Dilated veins
Symptoms: aching, throbbing, discomfort, leg heaviness, oedema

Question 2

Cause?

Answer 2

-Genetics
-Pregnancy
-Sitting/Standing for long periods (no movement for long periods)
-Excessively overwieght
-Ageing

Tiny valves inside veins stops working properly, causing blood pooling instead of flowing back up to heart, this cause stretch veins and bulging which can be seen.

Question 3

Why does it happen? (Pathophysiology)

Answer 3

• Venous insufficiency: blood failure to back flow to the heart due to weakened valves, causing blood pooling = swelling, pain
• Venous hypertension: blood pooling cause increase pressue in the in the veins, which can weaken vein valves = stretch and dialate veins

Question 4

Treatment plan?

Answer 4

Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA) in Nd:YAG or Diode (wavelengths 810, 940, 980 and 1320nm,)
involves inserting optic fibre laser into vein
laser heats to seal the vein, encouraging blood reroute through healthier veins
Sclerotherapy: inject special solution (sclerosant) into vein = cause them to collapse and fade