Venous Disease Flashcards
What is varicosis?
The progressive dysplastic damage (dilation and distortion) of lower limbs
What is varicosis of pregnancy?
Hormone-induced elasticity of the skin
Increased venous pressure
Thread-like varicosities under the skin
What is perforator varicosis?
Increase venous pressure in incompetent perforator veins
Vessel dilation and distention on thighs, calves, ankles and dorsum of feet
What are the symptoms of varicose veins?
Enlarged and distended superficial veins
Aching and heavy legs
Itchiness and pain when standing
What is inflammatory venous disease?
Inflammatory condition following damage to vessel walls of the venous system
Often associated with pain and oedema (fluid retention)
What is varicophlebitis?
Complication of a varicosis
Vessel walls and surrounding tissue are inflamed, swollen and painful
What is superficial thrombophlebitis?
Inflammation of superficial veins following trauma of vessel walls
Eg. Insect bites or IV injections
What is deep vein thrombosis? (DVT)
Blood clot forms and adheres to the vessel wall of a deep vein
Causes a deposit to accumulate and obstruct venous return
Increasing venous pressure and destruction of valves
Primarily occurs in lower limb veins
What are the risk factors of deep vein thrombosis? (DVT)
Family history Clotting disorders Obesity Immobilisation Pregnancy Use of oral contraceptives Use of HRT Recent surgery
What is chronic venous insufficiency? (CVI)
Impaired venous return from previous DVT
May affect superficial/deep venous system and result in venous stasis (congestion)
What are venous leg ulcers?
Chronic non-healing wounds
Loss of skin below the knee on leg/foot
Takes longer than 6 weeks to heal
Account for 70% of all chronic wounds
What is the etiology of venous disease?
Not known precisely
Probably inherited
What are the prevelance rates of venous disease?
More than 25% show pathological changes to venous system
Around 15% show clinical features of CVI
Persistent and recurrent venous ulcers are common in elderly and affect 1% of the population over 70 years
What are the age/gender risk factors of venous disease?
Risk of the disease increases with age
Pre-menopausal women increased risk of DVT
Pregnancy frequently causes varocosis of pregnancy and increases risk of DVT
What are the lifestyle risk factors of venous disease?
Immobilisation
Lack of exercise
Smoking may promote DVT (especially in females)
