Varicose veins natural history, complications and prognosis

Varicose veins Microchapters
Home
Patient Information
Overview
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Varicose veins from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Screening
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
CT
MRI
Ultrasound
Other Imaging Findings
Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Surgery
Primary Prevention
Secondary Prevention
Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy
Future or Investigational Therapies
Case Studies
Case #1
Varicose veins natural history, complications and prognosis On the Web
Most recent articles
Most cited articles
Review articles
CME Programs
Powerpoint slides
Images
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Varicose veins natural history, complications and prognosis All Images X-rays Echo & Ultrasound CT Images MRI
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse
Guidance
FDA on Varicose veins natural history, complications and prognosis
on Varicose veins natural history, complications and prognosis
Varicose veins natural history, complications and prognosis in the news
Blogs on Varicose veins natural history, complications and prognosis
Directions to Hospitals Treating Varicose veins
Risk calculators and risk factors for Varicose veins natural history, complications and prognosis

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Serious complications are rare but severe varicosities can lead to major complications, due to the poor circulation through the affected limb.

Complications

Most varicose veins are relatively benign, but severe varicosities can lead to major complications, due to the poor circulation through the affected limb.

• Pain, heaviness, inability to walk or stand for long hours thus hindering work
• Skin conditions / dermatitis which could predispose skin loss
• Bleeding: life threatening bleed from injury to the varicose vein
• Ulcer: non healing varicose ulcer could threaten limb amputation.
• Development of carcinoma or sarcoma in longstanding venous ulcers. There have been over 100 reported cases of malignant transformation and the rate is reported as 0.4% to 1%.
• Coagulation of blood in varicose veins cause superficial thrombosis, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), pulmonary embolism (PE) & could precipitate stroke in the rare case of predisposed individuals (that is, patients with patent foramen ovale).