Chronic Venous Disorders Overview

A condition affecting the veins that can range from mild varicose veins to serious deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

A condition where blood clots form in deep veins, usually in the legs. It can be life-threatening if the clot breaks off and travels to the lungs.

Superficial veins that are enlarged and twisted, often appearing as blue or purple bulging veins.

Veins that connect the superficial and deep veins, acting as a bridge for blood flow.

The system of veins near the skin surface, carrying blood back to the heart.

The system of veins deeper within the body, carrying blood back to the heart.

The action of skeletal muscles squeezing and pushing blood through the veins, helping it move back to the heart.

The three layers of a vein: tunica intima (inner lining), tunica media (muscle layer), and tunica adventitia (outer layer).

The contraction of calf muscles that helps move venous blood back towards the heart.

Structures within veins that prevent blood from flowing backwards.

Veins carry deoxygenated blood back to the heart, except for pulmonary veins which carry oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart.

The force of gravity working against venous blood flow back to the heart.

The ability of veins to expand and hold large amounts of blood.

Weakening of vein valves that causes blood to flow backwards.

A condition where venous blood flow is slow, often leading to blood clots.

A condition involving weakened or damaged veins that results in improper blood flow.

Superficial veins that become enlarged and twisted, often appearing as blue or purple bulging veins. They are caused by increased pressure in the veins, often due to weakened valves.

Condition where blood clots form in deep veins, usually in the legs. It can be life-threatening if the clot breaks off and travels to the lungs.

A term used to encompass both DVT and pulmonary embolism (PE). It occurs when a blood clot forms in a deep vein and potentially travels to the lungs.

A blood clot from a DVT that travels to the lungs, blocking blood flow and oxygen.

Immobility, sedentary behavior, trauma, surgery, cancer, estrogen use, and smoking.

A blood test that detects the presence of fibrin clot degradation products in the blood.

Unilateral leg pain, redness, ropiness, tenderness, warmth, edema, and a positive Homan's sign.

Dyspnea, chest pain, tachycardia, hemoptysis, hypotension, and syncope.

DVT and PE can often be silent, meaning they have no obvious symptoms.

Anticoagulants are used to prevent DVT and PE in high-risk patients.

Clinical guidelines used to assess a patient's risk of developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT) based on clinical symptoms like leg swelling and tenderness. The score ranges from 0 to 3, with higher scores indicating a greater risk of DVT.

A combination of ultrasound imaging and Doppler blood flow studies used to visualize blood flow within the veins and identify blood clots. It is the primary diagnostic tool for deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

A medical imaging technique that uses X-rays and contrast dye to visualize the blood vessels in the lungs, helping to diagnose pulmonary embolism (PE).

A radioactive imaging technique that uses a small dose of radioactive material to detect blood clots in the lungs and is primarily used for patients who cannot tolerate intravenous contrast. It is considered a secondary diagnostic test for pulmonary embolism (PE).

Valvular incompetence means vein valves become weak and cannot prevent blood from flowing backward, causing blood to pool and enlarge veins.

Varicose veins happen because high pressure in leg veins weakens their valves. This occurs with prolonged standing, sitting, pregnancy, and obesity.

Progesterone, a female hormone, relaxes the walls of blood vessels, which weakens vein valves and increases the risk of varicose veins.

The incidence of varicose veins is higher in females than males because of hormone influences.

The prevalence of varicose veins increases with age because vein walls weaken over time, making it harder for valves to function properly.

The muscular pump uses contracting calf muscles to push blood up the legs, aiding venous return to the heart.

Factors like prolonged standing or sitting, pregnancy, and obesity increase pressure in veins, leading to varicose veins.

Physical activity, smoking cessation, and weight management can reduce the risk of varicose veins by improving circulation and reducing pressure on veins.