Enfermedad venosa crónica (ECV)
What is Chronic Venous Disease or C.V.D?
Chronic Venous Disease is a group of diseases that do not allow appropriate blood flow to return from the feet and legs to the heart. The blood remains accumulated in the lower extremities producing venous stasis. Symptoms include fullness, heaviness, itching, and pain. Physical changes include varicose veins, inflammation, edema, dermatitis, change in skin color and in more advanced stage venous ulcers.
Many of the signs and symptoms of C.V.D. can easily be misdiagnosed. It is important to conduct several exams/tests, in order to define the appropriate etiology, thus providing adequate treatment. The most common etiologies of C.V.D. are Saphenous Vein Insufficiency and Iliac Vein Obstruction (frequently referred to as May-Thurner Syndrome).
What does C.V.D. look like?
Saphenous vein insufficiency
- Fullness, heaviness, itching, pain of the legs.
- Swelling of legs and ankles.
- Varicose veins.
- Brown discoloration with.
- Leg ulcers which are difficult to treat.
Iliac Vein Obstruction (May-Thurner Syndrome)
- Similar to lower levels of venous insufficiency.
- Pelvic and/or left leg pain usually associated with asymmetric swelling.
- Varicose veins in the upper thigh and around genitals.
- Pelvic pain during sex.
- Very painful menstrual symptoms.
- Usually, symptoms are more pronounced in the left lower extremity.
- Deep venous thrombosis of the whole leg (usually left leg).
Treatments for C.V.D.
Treatment options of patients with C.V.D. will depend on the specific type of C.V.D. Treatment aims to relieve some of the symptoms of C.V.D. and prevent the disease from progressing. Treatments at Mission Vascular & Vein Institute include:
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- Compression stockings.
- Weight loss.
- Saphenous vein Ablation.
- Sclerotherapy.
- Venogram.
- IVUS (Intra-Vascular Ultrasound).
- Venoplasty (balloon/stent)
Am I at risk for C.V.D.?
The following risk factors may increase your chances of having C.V.D.:
Saphenous Vein Insufficiency
- Females above age 50.
- Multiple pregnancies.
- Overweight or obese.
- Family history of varicose veins.
- Previous pelvic surgery or lower extremity blood clots.
- De fumar.
- Immobility.
- Occupations with prolonged standing (teachers, hairdressers, etc.).
Iliac Vein Obstruction (May-Thurner Syndrome)
- Female with history of multiple pregnancies or on oral contraceptives.
- Pelvic and/or left leg pain usually associated with asymmetric swelling.
- History of ilio-femoral deep venous thrombosis.
- Scoliosis.
- Prior Aorto-iliac vascular stent placement.
- Hypercoagulable state.
- Gynecological, Lumbar, or Back surgery.
