Varicose Veins Flashcards Preview

Year 3: Cardio > Varicose Veins > Flashcards

Flashcards in Varicose Veins Deck (17)
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1
Q

define varicose veins?

A

veins that become prominently elongated, dilated, and tortuous, most commonly thesuperficial veinsof the lower limbs.

2
Q

what are the primary causes of varicose veins?

A

Due to genetic or developmental weakness in the vein wall

Results inincreased elasticity, dilatation and valvular incompetence

3
Q

what are the secondary causes of varicose veins?

A
o	Due to venous outflow obstruction
•	Pregnancy
•	Pelvic malignancy
•	Ovarian cysts
•	Ascites
•	Lymphadenopathy
•	Retroperitoneal fibrosis
o	Due to valve damage (e.g. after DVT)
o	Due to high flow (e.g. arteriovenous fistula)
4
Q

risk factors for varicose veins?

A
o	Age
o	Female
o	Family history
o	Caucasian
o	Obesity
5
Q

epidemiology of varicose veins?

A

• COMMON
• Incidence increases with
age
• more common in women than men

6
Q

presenting symptoms of varicose veins?

A
  • Patients may complain about the cosmetic appearance
  • Aching in the legs (worse after standing)
  • Swelling
  • Itching
  • Bleeding
  • Infection
  • Ulceration
7
Q

what position should one inspect varicose veins?

A
  • on standing
8
Q

what might one feel on palpation of varicose veins?

A
  • might feel fascial defects along the veins
  • cough impulse might be felt on the saphenofemoral junction
  • Tap test on the saphenofemoral junction
9
Q

what will the Trendelenburg Testshow?

A
  • Allows localization of the sites of valvular incompetence
  • Leg is elevated and the veins are emptied
  • A hand is placed over the saphenofemoral junction
  • When the leg is placed back down the filling of the veins is observed before and after the hand is released from the junction
  • A Doppler ultrasound can be used to show saphenofemoral incompetence
10
Q

what are signs on examination of venous insufficiency?

A
o	Varicose eczema
o	Haemosiderin staining
o	Atrophie blanche
o	Lipodermatosclerosis
o	Oedema
o	Ulceration 
11
Q

Investigations for varicose veins?

A

• Duplex Ultrasound

  • this locates incompetence
  • allows exclusion of DVT
12
Q

what is a conservative management plan for varicose veins?

A

o Exercise - improves skeletal muscle pump
o Elevation of legs at rest
o Support stockings

13
Q

the management plan for venous telangiectasia

A

o Laser sclerotherapy

o Microinjection sclerotherapy

14
Q

what is the surgical plan for varicose veins?

A

o Saphenofemoral ligation(tying veins together)
o Stripping of the long saphenous vein
o Avulsion of varicosities

15
Q

Identify possible complications of varicose veins?

A
  • Venous pigmentation
  • Eczema
  • Lipodermatosclerosis
  • Superficial thrombophlebitis
  • Venous ulceration
16
Q

complications of treatment of varicose veins?

A

o Sclerotherapy- skin staining, local scarring

o Surgery- hemorrhage, infection, recurrence, paraesthesia, peroneal nerve injury

17
Q

what is the prognosis of varicose veins?

A
  • Slowly progressive

* High recurrence rates