Chronic Venous Insufficiency
What is Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI)?
Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI) is a medical condition in which the veins in the body are unable to pump oxygen-depleted blood back to the heart, often resulting in chronic swelling in the legs.
How is CVI related to Varicose Veins?
As varicose vein symptoms worsen, there is increased backflow (reflux) of blood, which causes swelling in the ankles, feet, and legs. This is followed by discoloration around the ankles and feet. Left untreated, this may result in stasis dermatitis (dry, flaky rash), phlebitis (blood clots), and ulcers (skin sores).
Due to increased pressure of blood in the legs, even a minor injury may result in profuse bleeding. Poor circulation may cause frequent skin infections and sores that do not heal.
Without treatment, CVI can worsen and lead to leg swelling, skin discoloration, bleeding varicose veins, recurrent skin infections, blood clots and poorly healing sores (ulcers):
