Chronic Venous Insufficiency

Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI) is a medical condition where the veins cannot adequately send blood from the legs and feet back to the heart. This condition is also known as venous reflux.

Causes

CVI is often caused by venous hypertension, a condition characterized by high blood pressure within the veins of the legs. This can occur as a result of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), varicose veins, or other conditions that put pressure on the leg veins.

Symptoms

Common symptoms of CVI include:

• Swelling in the legs and ankles
• Pain that gets worse when standing and better when raising the legs
• Varicose veins
• Changes in skin color, especially around the ankles
• Leg ulcers
• A feeling of tightness, heaviness, or tiredness in the legs

Diagnosis

CVI is typically diagnosed through a combination of a physical examination, patient history, and medical imaging tests such as a Doppler ultrasound or venogram.

Treatment

Treatment for CVI aims to reduce symptoms and prevent complications. This may include:

• Compression stockings
• Medication
• Surgery
• Endovenous thermal ablation
• Sclerotherapy

Prevention

Prevention strategies for CVI include regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding long periods of standing or sitting.

See also

• Varicose veins
• Deep vein thrombosis
• Venous hypertension
• Leg ulcers