venous and lymphatic disease Flashcards
what is a varicose vein?
a dilated and tortuous often superficial vein
what assists the flow of blood back to the heart?
- valves
- calf mucle pump
- perforating veins drain blood into the deep system
what are the causes of valvular failure?
- surgical or traumatic disruption of valve
- DVT
- hormonal changes in pregnancy causing weakness in veins and valves. and compression from enlarged uterus
- pelvic tumour causing pressure on veins
how does the failire of one venous valve affect other valves?
once one valve has failed there is increased pressure in the distal vein and further valvular incompetence
what are the risk factors for varicose veins?
age female pregnancies DVT standing for long periods (occupation) family history
what is are the symptoms of varicose veins?
Burning Itching Heaviness Tightness Swelling Discolouration Phlebitis Bleeding Disfiguration Eczema Ulceration
what is phlebitis?
inflammation of a vein
what are the examination techniques for assessing varicose veins?
-observation
- palpatation
- special tests:
tap test
touniquet test
doppler
what is the tap test for testing for varicose veins?
- one hand over saphenofemoral junction
- other hand just above knee
- tap at junction and if tap is feet at knee then there is valvular incometence
describe the tourniquet test for assessing valvular incompetence in the lower limbs?
- lie patient flat and drain superficial vains by raising leg and stroking veins towards truck.
- apply touniquet over saphenofemoral junction
- ask patient to stand
- if veins do not fill the touniquet is acting as a vein instead of the normal valve
- repeat at 10 cm intervals down the leg to find the level of incompetence
describe the doppler test for determoining venous valvular incompetence?
- hold doppler probe ver sphenofemoral junction
- squeeze calf muscles
- in patient with competent veins there is a whoosh sound
- in patient with incompetent saphenofemoral junction there will be 2 waves as blood flows upwards and then refluxes downwards again
what are the clinical faetures of CEAP classification of chronic venous disease C0?
no visible or palpable signs of venous disease
what are the clinical faetures of CEAP classification of chronic venous disease C1?
telangiectasies or reticular veina
what are telangiectasies?
widened venules causing threadlike red lines or patterns on the skin
what are the clinical faetures of CEAP classification of chronic venous disease C2
varicose veins
what are the clinical faetures of CEAP classification of chronic venous disease C3?
oedema
what are the clinical faetures of CEAP classification of chronic venous disease C4a?
pigmentation or eczema
what are the clinical faetures of CEAP classification of chronic venous disease C4b?
lipodermatosclerosis or arthrophie blanche
what is lipodermatosclerosis?
a skin change of the lower legs that often occurs in patients who have venous insufficiency. It is a type of panniculitis (inflammation of subcutaneous fat). Two-thirds of affected patients are obese.