Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI)
(Part 4)
What causes chronic venous insufficiency?
Chronic venous insufficiency happens when the valves in your leg veins don’t work properly. Your leg veins contain valves that help your blood flow in the correct direction (toward your heart). If a valve becomes damaged, it can’t close properly.
Gravity takes over, and blood struggles flow upward toward your heart. It instead flows backward, a situation known as venous reflux.
Causes of valve malfunction may be congenital, primary or secondary.
* Congenital causes are malformations in your leg veins that you’re born with. For example, some people are born without valves in their leg veins.
* Primary causes are any changes to your leg veins that prevent them from working as they should. For example, your vein may get too wide, preventing its valve from closing all the way.
* Secondary causes are other medical issues that damage your leg veins. Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is usually the culprit. The thrombus (blood clot) leaves behind scar tissue that damages your valve.
What is the most common cause of chronic venous insufficiency?
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is the most common cause of chronic venous insufficiency. The blood clot damages the valve in your leg vein. People with a history of DVT face a higher risk of developing CVI.
Diagnosis and Tests
How is chronic venous insufficiency diagnosed?
Chronic venous insufficiency is diagnosed through a physical exam and ultrasound imaging. During the physical exam, your provider will:
* Carefully examine your legs: Your provider will look for clinical signs of CVI, like ulcers or changes in skin color.
* Perform a vascular ultrasound: This painless test uses sound waves to create an image of your veins. It shows which parts of your veins are damaged.
Your provider will also rule out other medical conditions that could be causing your symptoms. This may involve other tests like an MRI.
Many people with CVI also have peripheral artery disease (PAD). So, your provider may ask questions or run tests to check you for PAD. If you have both CVI and PAD, your provider will advise you on treatment methods and precautions you need to take with compression therapy. (To be continued)