Unit 5.1: Venous Valvular Insufficiency

CEAP

acronym for: clinical, etiology, anatomical location, and pathological

classification system to standardize the manifestations of chronic venous insufficiency

chronic venous insufficiency (CVI)

a progressive medical condition in which the veins in the legs are damaged or weakened, causing one-way valves to malfunction

corona phlebectatia

a cutaneous sign of advanced CVI characterized by a fan-shaped pattern of abnormally dilated intradermal veins and capillaries around the medial and lateral malleoli of the ankle and foot

gaiter region

the region below the knee and above the foot

lipedema

chronic medical condition characterized by the abnormal, symmetrical buildup of painful fat primarily in the legs and buttocks, and sometimes the arms

lipdodermatosclerosis

fibrotic tissue changes resulting in narrowing the contour of the leg in the gaiter region, “bottle neck deficiency”

lymphedema

chronic condition characterized by swelling caused by the buildup of protein-rich lymph fluid in body tissues, typically affecting the arms or legs

phlebolymphedema

the most common form of lymphedema, combined insufficiency of the venous and lymphatic systems in the lower limbs

post-thrombotic syndrome

chronic condition, the most common long-term complication of DVT. Occurs when a blood clot damages the veins and their valves, leading to venous HTN and impaired blood flow back to the heart

pruritis

the medical term for itchy skin

reticular vein

dilated superficial veins measuring 1-3mm in diameter

telangiectasia

spider veins, broken capilaries, small dilated blood vessels near the surface of the skin or mucous membranes that appear as fine red, blue, or purple lines

varicose vein

swollen, twisted, and bulging veins that appear just under the skin, most commonly in the veins. They occur when weakened or damaged one-way valves fail to keep blood flowing toward the heart, causing blood to pool and increase pressure on the vein walls

venous claudication

characterized by bursting, cramping, or tight pain in the leg during walking, standing, or running, caused by impaired venous outflow

venous insufficiency

failure of leg veins to efficiently return blood to the heart, typically due to damaged valves

venous hypertension

high blood pressure in the veins of the legs, typically secondary to CVI

venous reflux

AKA CVI or venous insufficiency, valves in the legs become weak or damaged, causing blood to flow backward and pool in the lower exremities instead of returning efficiently to the heart