Venous and Lymphatic Disease Flashcards
What are varicose veins?
Dilated and tortuous, often a superficial vein and commonly found in lower libs
Describe the course of the long saphenous vein
Dorsal venous arch drains into the LSV, which passes anterior to the medial mallows and up the medial aspect of the leg
What is the saphenofemoral junction?
Where the LSV perforate the cribriform fascia and empties into the femoral vein (deep system)
Describe the course for the small saphenous vein
The plantar venous arch drains into the SSV which travel posterior to the lateral mallows, up the posterior aspect of the leg and drain into the popliteal vein (deep system)
What assists the flow of blood back to the heart?
Valves
Calf mucle pump
Perforating veins drain blood into the deep system
What are causes of valvular failure?
Surgical or traumatic disruption of the valve
DVT
Hormonal changes in pregnancy
Large pelvic tumour
Why can a DVT cause valvular failure?
Initially causes obstruction to flow, but although the vein reanalyses through the thrombus, this canal will be a high-pressure valvular flow
Why do hormonal changes in pregnancy cause valvular failure?
Can weaken veins and valves, leading to venous incompetence
The enlarged uterus can cause mechanical obstruction to venous flow within the deep system
Why do large pelvic tumours cause valvular failure?
Cause mechanical obstruction to venous flow within the deep system, leading to increased pressure
How does the failire of one venous valve affect other valves?
Once one valve has failed, venous pressure increases causing dilatation of the diastole vein and further valvular incompetence
What are risk factors for valvular disease?
Age Female Pregnancies DVT Standing for long periods of time (occupation) FH
What are symptoms of valvular disease?
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?
Place one hand over the saphenofemoral junction
Other hand on LSV above knee
Tap the junction - if feel impulse at LSV then indicate incompetence
What the the Tourniquet Test for varicose veins?
- Lie patient flat and drain superficial veins by raising leg and stroking veins towards trunk
- Apply touniquet over saphenofemoral junction
- Ask patient to stand
- If veins do not fill, and observe for any signs of varicose veins reappearing
- If the varicose veins do not fill back up, this indicates the problem is above the tourniquet level, but if it fills back up, this indicates the problem is below the tourniquet level
Describe the doppler test for varicose veins
- 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 investigation should be carried out for varicose veins and why?
Ultrasound - demonstrates the valves, the anatomy (tortuous) and can be used to show dynamic blood flow i.e. reflux