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Venous and Vein Disease Program
Types of Venous and Vein Disease
Venous disease of the legs is a common condition. An estimated 50 percent of women and 40 percent of men have some type of venous disease. Varicose veins affect roughly half of all people age 50 and older. Many other conditions can increase the risk of developing venous disease.
People with vein disease often experience leg pain or swelling, which can be caused by phlebitis (inflammation), edema (fluid buildup) or a blood clot. Several approaches may be used to treat these conditions. Below are some of the vein conditions treated by the vascular experts at the Heart and Vascular Center:
Spider veins and varicose veinsVaricose veins, commonly found on the legs, are enlarged veins that are visible through the skin and may appear as blue or purple twisted, knot-like cords. Spider veins, a milder type of varicose veins, are smaller, red or blue in color, and often look like a “spider web.” Our Comprehensive Vein Clinic offers the complete range of treatments for all types of varicose and spider veins.
Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI)CVI occurs when the leg veins are damaged and blood is unable to circulate back to the heart. Problems with valves in the veins can cause the blood to flow both directions, instead of just toward the heart. This can cause blood to pool. If chronic venous insufficiency is left untreated, pain, swelling, and leg ulcers may result.
Edema (leg swelling)Edema is abnormal fluid buildup in the body that can have many causes. Edema that leads to leg swelling should be evaluated right away.
Phlebitis, thrombophlebitisThrombophlebitis is inflammation or swelling of a vein caused by a blood clot, usually in the leg.
Superficial venous thrombosisThis is a blood clot in a superficial vein (just below the skin’s surface) usually in the upper or lower extremities.
Leg ulcers, venous stasis diseasePoor circulation or a venous obstruction in the legs and lower extremities can lead to venous leg ulcers. Our Wound Care Clinic has the expertise and resources to treat leg ulcers caused by venous disease, and many other types of wounds that are difficult to heal.
Vascular malformationsThese abnormal clusters of blood vessels or defects in the circulatory system are present at birth. Genetic conditions – such as arteriovenous malformations (AVM) – can have a variety of symptoms and treatments. We are also one of the few centers in the country to treat a related condition, Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT).
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS) and Paget-Schroetter SyndromeTOS is a group of diseases involving compression of the blood vessels, muscles and nerves between the collarbone and the first rib. Paget-Schroetter syndrome involves a venous thrombosis (clot) at the thoracic outlet.
Hypercoagulable states (thrombophilia)Hypercoagulable states refer to the tendency for the blood to clot abnormally. These conditions can be genetic or the result of another medical condition, surgery or trauma. People with hypercoagulable states have an increased risk of developing potentially dangerous blood clots.
Venous Thromboembolism (VTE ), Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) and Pulmonary Embolism (PE)Deep vein thrombosis occurs when a blood clot develops in a vein deep in the body, most often in the lower legs or thighs. A piece of that clot can break off and travel to the lungs, causing a pulmonary embolism, which can be life-threatening.
Date: June 5, 2012 Online Editor(s): Richard Petre |
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