Pathophysiology of Cardiac Conditions

Chronic Venous Insufficiency and Deep Vein Thrombosis

There are a number of conditions that affect the circulatory system in different ways. Not all circulatory issues are connected with blood clotting or high cholesterol. In fact, chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is more associated with some form of trauma that damages the tissues of veins and reduces their ability to circulate blood effectively. This is much different to Deep Vein Thrombosis, which is more associated with blood clotting.

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is essentially when the venous return proves to be inadequate for long periods of time. The condition occurs in varicose veins, where pooled blood causes blood vessels to distort. It is often caused by trauma to the vein tissues or systems. Thus, the patient factors that are most likely to impact the presence of CVI are age and behavior. For the purpose of this assignment, I will focus on age as the patient factor. As patients get older, their skin and muscles are often much thinner and weaker, making them more vulnerable to damage from traumas that would not have been so damaging when their tissues where younger. Thus, age can be a major factor in the presence of CVI. The incompetence of the varicose veins caused by venous hypertension, tissue hypoxia, or circulatory stasis can "cause an inflammatory reaction in vessels and tissues leading to fibrosvlerotic remodeling of the skin and then to ulceration" (Huether & McCance). Cells around the body are often put in a situation where they can barely acquire the minimum levels of oxygen. When this happens, the body is vulnerable to infection or necrosis, as traumas or other pressures can lower the oxygen levels even more to where the minimum levels fail to be met and cell tissue begins to die off and the biochemicals needed to trigger immune responses are not as available to cell tissue. Ultimately, chronic venous insufficiency can cause symptoms such as "edema of the lower extremities and hyperpigmentation of the skin of the feet and ankles" (Huether & McCance). Thus, the condition does show external signs that would help lead to a diagnosis before any sort of more invasive cardiac testing. CVI can be treated in a number of ways. There are less invasive strategies that include leg elevation, the use of compression stockings and socks, and a physical exercise regiment. More invasive treatments include "sclerotherapy or surgical litigation, conservative vein restriction, and vein stripping" (Huether & McCance). It is important to diagnose and treat CVI quickly to prevent tissue damage and infection.