Do your legs feel fatigued, achy all the time, discolored, and unable to make it through the day?
These may be signs of Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI).
What is CVI?
CVI is a venous valvular issue that occurs in both deep and superficial veins. Damage to these valves causes blood that is supposed to go back to the heart to pool in the legs. This pooling is called stasis, and it can lead to a myriad of symptoms.
What are symptoms of CVI?
Common symptoms include:
- Swelling (Edema)
- Leg Pain
- Skin Hardening (Lipodermatosclerosis)
- Darkening of skin near ankles
- Varicose veins
- Ulcers
What causes CVI?
Some causes of CVI include:
- Obesity - Central obesity is associated with increased intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) caused by abdominal fat. This also puts pressure on the legs' deep veins, creating stasis of venous blood and valve damage.
- Pregnancy - Initially have the same effect as obesity but usually improves after pregnancy.
- Family History - Weak valves can sometimes be inherited.
- Vein Trauma - Surgery, leg injury, or blood clots can cause damage to valves leading to CVI.
Other risk factors include:
- High Blood Pressure
- Lack of Exercise
- Smoking
- Blood Clots/Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
Is CVI life-threatening?
For the most part, CVI is not life-threatening, but the pain and cosmetic damage can greatly reduce your quality of life. In the event of clot formation in the deep veins, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and emboli can form, leading to Pulmonary Embolism (PE). If unchecked and untreated, PE can be life-threatening.
Is CVI common?
It is estimated that over 25 million Americans have CVI, and only 23 million report their symptoms to their medical providers. This disease is more common in the African-American and Hispanic populations and more common in females than males. CVI is also more common in those with labor that involves long periods of standing or long periods of inactivity.
How is CVI diagnosed?
CVI is diagnosed through Duplex Ultrasound. This looks at blood flow and the structure of your leg veins. It checks the speed and direction of blood flow in the blood vessel.
How is CVI treated?
Treatments include:
- Compression Stockings
- Aspirin
- Endovenous Ablation
- Sclerotherapy
- Surgery
References/Other resources
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/chronic-venous-insufficiency
https://www.aurorahealthcare.org/services/heart-vascular/conditions/venous-insufficiency#Overview
Willenberg, T., Schumacher, A., Amann-Vesti, B., Jacomella, V., Thalhammer, C., Diehm, N., Baumgartner, I., Husmann, M., 2010. Impact of obesity on venous hemodynamics of the lower limbs. Journal of Vascular Surgery 52, 664–668.. doi:10.1016/j.jvs.2010.04.023
