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Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI) Explained
What is CVI?
Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI) is a condition affecting the veins, most commonly in the legs. It occurs when the valves in leg veins, responsible for pushing blood back to the heart, weaken or become damaged. This leads to backward blood flow and pooling in the legs.
risk Factors:
Advanced Age: As people age, vein valves naturally weaken.
Symptoms:
edema (Swelling)
Varicose Veins
Skin changes:
Often called “venous eczema” or “stasis dermatitis.”
Appear as red, itchy, or scaly patches on the lower legs due to poor blood flow.
Ulcerations
Pain
Itch or Bleeding in the affected area
Aching,Cramping,Throbbing
Leg Fatigue
Heaviness
Restless Legs
Impact on Quality of Life:
CVI can considerably impact a person’s quality of life. Early detection and treatment are crucial for making a substantial difference.
Diagnosis:
CVI is diagnosed using:
Duplex Ultrasound
Magnetic Resonance Venography (MRV)
Computed Tomography Venography (CVT)
These methods help identify backward blood flow, vein obstructions, or compressive syndromes.
Treatment:
Treatment options for CVI include:
Compression therapy:
Multilayer and short stretch bandaging
Elastic garments
Graded compression stockings
Pneumatic pumps
Medications:
topical anti-inflammatory steroid medications
Antibiotic therapy
Diuretic therapy
Interventional Endovascular Therapies:
Minimally invasive procedures using catheters to remove obstructions.
CVI vs. Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT):
DVT: A serious condition where a blood clot forms in a deep vein, usually in the legs or pelvis.
Pulmonary Embolism (PE): A potentially life-threatening complication of DVT where a clot travels to the lungs.
While related, DVT and CVI are distinct conditions.
Statistics (U.S.- American Heart Association 2025 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics):
Hospital Discharges (2022):
Principal diagnosis: 5,805
Among all-listed diagnoses: 234,655
Cause of Death (2022): 62 people
‘Any Mention Mortality’ (2022): 977 deaths
Most common Symptom: Pain (29%)
Other Common Symptoms: Swelling, heaviness, fatigue, and cramping.
Spider Veins: Seen in 7% of cases.
Notable Mention:
* President Donald Trump was recently diagnosed wiht CVI after experiencing mild leg swelling. The White House reported no evidence of DVT or arterial disease.
Expert opinion:
Joshua A. Beckman, M.D., FAHA, emphasizes the importance of early detection and treatment for CVI and encourages individuals to be aware of its signs and symptoms to seek timely medical evaluation.