Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI)

CVI (chronic venous insufficiency) occurs when the venous walls and valves of the legs fail, hindering circulation. Blood collects in these veins as a result, and this accumulation causes pain, swelling, and chronic ulcers.

Causes of CVI

Every organ in the body sends blood to the heart via the veins. When blood flows from the legs into the heart, it must travel upward. The veins of the legs have one-way valves to prevent blood from flowing backward.

Damage to these valves causes the blood to leak backward—this is the start of CVI. Aging, excessive standing or sitting, and physical inactiveness are the typical causes of this health problem.

CVI can also occur following a blood clot in the legs—a condition called deep vein thrombosis (DVT). As a result of the valves in leg veins failing to hold the blood against gravity, one tell-tale sign of CVT is swelling in the legs.

The Risk Factors for CVI include:

• Venous hypertension in the legs
• Lack of physical activity
• Tobacco use
• Thrombotic blood clots affecting the deep veins of the leg or thigh (deep vein thrombosis)
• Inflammation of the vein that lies near the skin of the legs (phlebitis)

Symptoms of Chronic Venous Insufficiency

Waiting will not solve the problem. Getting it treated as soon as possible allows you to prevent serious complications.

A person with CVI may get the following symptoms:

• Swollen legs or ankles
• Itchy, painful calves or tight calves
• An excruciating pain that subsides when you rest
• Brown skin, usually near the ankles
• Varicose veins
• Chronic leg ulcers
• Restless legs syndrome
• Leg cramps or muscle spasms

Women Are at a Higher risk.

The number of Americans with CVI is estimated to be around 40 percent. Most people over the age of 50 develop this condition, and more of them women than men.

CVI is Treatable

When CVI is treated in its earliest stages, the success rate is high. A vascular surgeon or specialists in vascular medicine can recommend a combined treatment plan for CVI patients. CVI treatments include:

Exercise and elevation

Regular exercise and raising your legs (elevating them) can improve blood flow and reduce swelling. You may also find relief from wearing compression stockings.

Pharmacological treatments.

The use of blood flow-increasing medications and compression therapy can help heal leg ulcers. Generally, diuretics are not used much (medicines that force water from the body through the kidney). However, they can be used when there is a direct link between swollen legs and kidney disease or heart failure.

Non-surgical Procedures

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is the common therapeutic procedure for CVI. There is minimal invasiveness involved in this procedure. Using a catheter (tube), heat is delivered directly to the affected vein. The flow of blood becomes better overall.

Sclerotherapy may be an option for more severe cases. The vascular specialist injects a chemical into the affected veins. It causes the affected veins to scar so that they cannot carry blood. Instead, blood is forced to flow through alternative healthy veins, and the body eventually reabsorbs the scarred veins.

Surgery

In severe CVI cases, surgery may be ideal. Surgical procedures such as ligation can be performed. In addition, the vein may be tied off or removed if the valves have been heavily damaged. The removal procedure is known as vein stripping.

WASHINGTON Vascular Specialists, Inc. provides advanced vascular care that is cost-effective, comfortable, and easy for our patients to manage. Collaboration, conservative treatments, and minimally invasive processes are the cornerstones of our care.

We perform procedures that relieve leg pain, swelling, cramps, and wounds. For compassionate, respectful, and effective therapeutic care against Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI), Call 301- 891-2500 to set an appointment.