Clinical Relevance: Varicose Veins 56.4 – Varicose veins on right leg In the lower limbs, blood flows from the skin to superficial veins, which drain into the deep veins. In the venous system, there are valves that prevent back flow of blood. If these valves become incompetent, the superficial veins can become dilated , and they are known as varicose veins. There are various soft tissue changes that can occur with chronic varicose veins. Due to the incompetence of the valves, the pressure in the venous system rises. This damages the cells, causing blood to extrude into skin. Further complications can produce a brown pigmentation, and ulceration can occur Varicose veins can be treated by; - Surgical movement of the saphenous systems - Reconstruction of valves - Tying off the affected valves Clinical Relevance: Deep Vein Thrombosis DVT is the formation of the blood clot in the deep veins of the lower limbs. The serious complication of this is pulmonary occlusion, caused by the DVT travelling through the circulatory system and entering the pulmonary circulation. Pulmonary occlusion can result in cardiopulmonary arrest. Patients that are considered high risk of developing a DVT undergo prophylactic treatment to prevent thrombosis.
Posted on: Sat, 10 Aug 2013 19:43:28 +0000
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