What is Chronic Venous Insufficiency?
Chronic venous insufficiency, or CVI, is the condition most often treated using radio-frequency thermal ablation. CVI occurs when the veins of the leg cease to function properly, making it difficult for blood to return to the heart and causing the expansion, torsion, and swelling of the legs and affected blood vessels.
Estimates indicate that 40% of people in the United States suffer from CVI. The condition is most common for people over 50, and occurs more frequently in women than in men.
Estimates indicate that 40% of people in the United States suffer from CVI. The condition is most common for people over 50, and occurs more frequently in women than in men.
Signs and Symptoms of Chronic Venous Insufficiency
CVI is a common disease and can present in a wide variety of ways. Below you'll find a short list of the most common symptoms that may accompany the condition.
|
Spider Veins
Spider veins are small, surface blood vessels whose abnormal swelling and torsion are typically visible through the skin. Because spider veins are an early indicator of problems with blood flow through the lower extremities, treating them can help halt or slow venous disease at its source. |
|
|
Varicose Veins
Larger than spider veins, varicose veins are twisted, enlarged veins with a diameter of three to four millimeters. They may also have a blue or black appearance and/or bulge out through the skin. If the veins reduce in size greatly when the leg is elevated, then the varicosities are likely a superficial issue that can be easily treated. |
|
|
Edema
Generally speaking, edema refers to abnormal swelling caused by the accumulation of fluid within certain tissues. Swelling related to venous disease is quite common and usually occurs in areas below the knee. Determining whether or not edema is the result of CVI, however, can be tricky. Only a valve study ultrasound performed by your physician can confirm edema is caused by venous disease. |
|
|
Skin Discoloration
CVI can cause a variety of changes in the skin of the lower leg. For example, patients with CVI may present with Corona phlebectasia (Image A, blue pigmentation and eczema), Lipodermatosclerosis (Image B, hardening of soft tissues) with hemosiderin staining, or atrophie blanche (whitish skin area resembling scar tissue which can be mistaken for a healed ulcer). |
|
|
Skin Changes Accompanying Healed Ulceration
Because CVI can cause leg ulcers, signs of a healed ulcer may point to underlying venous disease, particularly when the scarring is surrounded by any of the skin conditions listed above. If an ulcer was caused by CVI and the underlying condition is left untreated, the ulcer is highly likely to recur. |
|
|
Skin Changes Accompanying Active Ulceration
An ulcer is an open sore with no skin covering the underlying tissue. Venous leg ulcers can look markedly different in different people; some might appear pink with granulation tissue, while others may present with a yellow exudate. The surrounding skin is usually red, as the body is using inflammation to try to heal the ulcer. |
|
Are you Suffering From CVI?
While not a diagnostic tool, the following quiz can help you determine whether or not you might have CVI, which would make you a candidate for our procedure. As always, be sure to follow up with one of our physicians regarding your cardiovascular concerns.