The relationship between clinical severity and outcome measures in patients with chronic venous insufficiency with or without leg ulcer.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the relationship between clinical severity and functionality, sleep quality, depression, and quality of life (QoL) in patients with CVI with or without leg ulcers. METHODS: A total of sixty patients with CVI were enrolled in the study. The patients were C2-6 according to the CEAP classification. All the patients were assessed with Venous Clinical Severity Score (VCSS) for clinical severity, Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain, right and left lower limb (RLL and LLL) circumference measurements for edema, 6-min-walk test (6-MWT) for functional capacity, Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) for functionality, Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) for sleep quality, Beck Depression Inventory version I (BDI-I) for depression, and The Quality of Life Questionnaire for Chronic Venous Diseases-20 (CIVIQ-20) for QoL. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 45.83 ± 13.25 years, and the mean duration of disease was 8.30 ± 7.42 years. There was a significant association between VCSS and VAS-rest/activity, edema-RLL/LLL, PSQI, BDI-I, LEFS, and CIVIQ-20 in patients without leg ulcers. In addition, a significant association was found between VCSS and VAS-rest/activity and CIVIQ-20 in patients with leg ulcers. CONCLUSION: The current study showed that an association has been found between clinical severity and pain at rest and during activity, edema, sleep quality, depression, lower extremity function, and QoL in patients without ulcers. However, clinical severity has been correlated with only pain at rest and during activity, and QoL in patients with leg ulcers.

Stratification of pelvic venous reflux in patients with pelvic varicose veins.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the association between the pattern and duration of pelvic venous reflux (PVR) and pelvic pain severity in patients with pelvic varicose veins (PVVs). METHODS: The present retrospective study included 600 female patients with PVVs. Of the 600 patients, 453 had had PVVs and pelvic congestion syndrome (group 1) and 147 had had an asymptomatic disease course (group 2). Pelvic venous pain (PVP) was assessed using a visual analog scale. All the patients had undergone duplex ultrasound of the left and right renal veins, external, internal, and common iliac veins, and parametrial, uterine, gonadal, and vulvar veins (PV, UV, GV, and VV, respectively), with an assessment of their patency and diameter and the presence and duration of reflux. Reflux in the pelvic veins was considered pathologic if it lasted for >1 second. RESULTS: In group 1, PVR type I (1-2 seconds), II (3-5 seconds), and III (>5 seconds or spontaneous reflux in the absence of a loading test) was found in 31%, 58%, and 11% of the patients, respectively. Moderate and severe reflux (types II and III) was associated with severe PVP (mean score, 8.3 ± 0.5) in 69% of the group 1 patients. A combination of reflux in the GV, PV, UV, and internal iliac vein was associated with severe PVP (mean score, 8.1 ± 0.3) in 51% of these patients. A combination of reflux in the PVs, UVs, and VVs was associated with moderate pain (mean score, 5.3 ± 0.2) in 49.2% of group 1. In group 2, PVR type I, II, and III was present in 95%, 4%, and 1% of the patients, respectively, and was observed in the PV only in patients with type I; in the GVs, PVs, UVs, and internal iliac veins in those with type II; and in the PVs and GVs in the patients with type III reflux. Reflux in the GVs and UVs was significantly more prevalent in group 1 than in group 2 (GVs, 51% vs 6%; P = .0001; UVs, 57% vs 7%; P = .0001). A combination of reflux in the GVs and UVs was a predictor of severe PVVs (odds ratio, 19.7; 95% confidence interval, 11.3-34.6). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with PVVs, the presence and severity of pelvic pain will be determined by the type of PVR and its distribution in the pelvic veins. The combination of moderate to severe reflux (types II and III) in the PVs, UVs, and GVs was a predictor of severe PVP. Patients with asymptomatic PVVs were characterized by mild reflux (type I) in the PVs, with rare involvement of the GVs and UVs.

The Symptoms-Varices-Pathophysiology classification of pelvic venous disorders: A report of the American Vein & Lymphatic Society International Working Group on Pelvic Venous Disorders.

As the importance of pelvic venous disorders (PeVD) has been increasingly recognized, progress in the field has been limited by the lack of a valid and reliable classification instrument. Misleading historical nomenclature, such as the May-Thurner, pelvic congestion, and nutcracker syndromes, often fails to recognize the interrelationship of many pelvic symptoms and their underlying pathophysiology. Based on a perceived need, the American Vein and Lymphatic Society convened an international, multidisciplinary panel charged with the development of a discriminative classification instrument for PeVD. This instrument, the Symptoms-Varices-Pathophysiology ("SVP") classification for PeVD, includes three domains-Symptoms (S), Varices (V), and Pathophysiology (P), with the pathophysiology domain encompassing the Anatomic (A), Hemodynamic (H), and Etiologic (E) features of the patient's disease. An individual patient's classification is designated as SVPA,H,E. For patients with pelvic origin lower extremity signs or symptoms, the SVP instrument is complementary to and should be used in conjunction with the Clinical-Etiologic-Anatomic-Physiologic (CEAP) classification. The SVP instrument accurately defines the diverse patient populations with PeVD, an important step in improving clinical decision making, developing disease-specific outcome measures and identifying homogenous patient populations for clinical trials.

The 2020 update of the CEAP classification system and reporting standards.

The CEAP (Clinical-Etiology-Anatomy-Pathophysiology) classification is an internationally accepted standard for describing patients with chronic venous disorders and it has been used for reporting clinical research findings in scientific journals. Developed in 1993, updated in 1996, and revised in 2004, CEAP is a classification system based on clinical manifestations of chronic venous disorders, on current understanding of the etiology, the involved anatomy, and the underlying venous pathology. As the evidence related to these aspects of venous disorders, and specifically of chronic venous diseases (CVD, C2-C6) continue to develop, the CEAP classification needs periodic analysis and revisions. In May of 2017, the American Venous Forum created a CEAP Task Force and charged it to critically analyze the current classification system and recommend revisions, where needed. Guided by four basic principles (preservation of the reproducibility of CEAP, compatibility with prior versions, evidence-based, and practical for clinical use), the Task Force has adopted the revised Delphi process and made several changes. These changes include adding Corona phlebectatica as the C4c clinical subclass, introducing the modifier "r" for recurrent varicose veins and recurrent venous ulcers, and replacing numeric descriptions of the venous segments by their common abbreviations. This report describes all these revisions and the rationale for making these changes.

Patient outcomes after radiofrequency ablation stratified by Clinical, Etiology, Anatomy, and Pathophysiology classification.

OBJECTIVE: Venous insufficiency is a prevalent and potentially debilitating disease. Treatment guidelines and techniques such as radiofrequency ablation (RFA) developed in the United States and Europe have been shown to provide significant improvements in quality of life; however, these have not been clearly assessed in the populations of developing nations. This study examined quality of life outcomes after RFA of patients treated at a single Jamaican vein center. METHODS: In this study, 100 patients who underwent RFA from 2007 to 2012 were evaluated. Patients answered the Venous Insufficiency Epidemiological and Economic Study on Quality of Life/Symptoms (VEINES-QOL/Sym) questionnaire assessing quality of life before and after RFA. Improvements in specific categories, such as venous symptoms, work limitations, social limitations, and cosmetic concerns, were evaluated. Cumulative VEINES-Sym and VEINES-QOL scores were also assessed. RESULTS: Patients' quality of life responses were significantly improved in every individual VEINES question. Average cumulative VEINES-Sym t score improved 9.96 points (P < .01), and VEINES-QOL t score improved 11.15 points (P < .01). For patients with Clinical, Etiology, Anatomy, and Pathophysiology (CEAP) C5 and C6 disease, the only questions that did not show significant improvement were limitations to daily workplace activity and impact on clothing after RFA. However, in this subset, the average VEINES-Sym t score improved 11.83 points (P < .01), and the VEINES-QOL t score improved 11.96 points (P < .01) after RFA. CONCLUSIONS: Venous disease is often overlooked, and access to treatment can be limited in developing nations. This study demonstrated that venous treatment guidelines and RFA techniques developed in the United States and Europe could be successfully applied to a Jamaican population, resulting in significant improvements in quality of life.

Duplex ultrasound findings and clinical classification of lower extremity chronic venous insufficiency in a Thai population.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between the clinical classification of chronic venous insufficiency and duplex ultrasound findings. METHODS: A total of 1010 limbs with clinically suspected chronic venous insufficiency were stratified according to the Clinical, Etiology, Anatomy, and Pathophysiology (CEAP) classification and underwent duplex ultrasound evaluation consecutively between January 2012 and June 2015. Venous thrombosis, venous reflux, and anatomic distribution of the deep and superficial venous systems were investigated across the CEAP clinical classes. RESULTS: There were 259 male limbs (25.6%) and 751 female limbs (74.4%) in clinical class C0 (24 limbs [2.4%]), C1 (130 limbs [13.1%]), C2 (452 limbs [44.8%]), C3 (183 limbs [18.1%]), C4 (163 limbs [16.1%]), C5 (31 limbs [3.1%]), and C6 (27 limbs [2.7%]). The mean age in clinical class C4-C6 (60.77 ± 14.67 years) was statistically significantly higher than in C0-C3 (55.73 ± 18.85 years; P < .001). Male limbs were shown to have a predilection for presenting with clinical class C4-C6 over female limbs (36.3% vs 16.9%; odds ratio, 2.8; 95% confidence interval, 2.0-3.8). Positive findings were predominantly displayed in clinical class C4-C6 compared with C0-C3 (deep venous thrombosis, 3.2% vs 1.3%; deep venous reflux, 30.8% vs 26.9%; superficial vein thrombosis, 2.7% vs 2.0%; superficial venous reflux, 56.6% vs 47.6%; perforator vein reflux, 12.7% vs 8.2% [P = .049]). A low prevalence of small saphenous vein and perforator vein reflux in C1 limbs (0.3% and 4.6%) and C3 limbs (3.8 and 6.6%) was discovered. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of CEAP class C0-C3 was found to be higher than C4-C6. However, men were shown to have a predilection for presenting in clinical class C4-C6 over women. The mean age of patients with clinical class C4-C6 limbs was statistically significantly higher than of those with clinical class C0-C3 limbs. The prevalence of deep venous reflux, superficial venous reflux, and coincident deep and superficial venous reflux in clinical class C4-C6 limbs was higher than in clinical class C0-C3 limbs. Detection of incompetent perforator veins was shown to have a statistically significant correlation with clinical class C4-C6 limbs.

[Endoluminal Treatment of Varicose Veins: Value of Duplex Ultrasound (Part 2)]. / Endoluminale Varikosebehandlung: Stellenwert der Duplexsonografie (Teil 2).

Part one addressed the value of duplex ultrasound in the diagnostic workup of varicosis. The present article discusses the use of preinterventional, intrainterventional and postinterventional duplex ultrasound in endoluminal methods for the treatment of varices. It is a prerequisite for the planning, implementation, and follow-up of this form of therapy.

[Surgery of varicose vein insufficiency]. / Operative Therapie der Varikose.

The basis of surgery of great saphenous vein insufficiency is the concept of "privat circulation" coined by Trendelenburg in 1891. It was only logical that the dissection of the insuffcient vein or it's partial or complete resection could bring about healing. Over the years varicose vein stripping was modified to finally result in the highly effectiv concept of crossectomy and stripping. For decades this was the Goldstandard in surgery of varicose vein insufficiency. All the other minimally invasive therapeutic techniques which have been developed in the last decades had to compete with crossectomy and stripping. Thanks to progress in technical development the classic stripping procedure has been replaced by highly effectiv, minimally invasiv procedures, at least in the western industrialisied countries. For a minority of patients with specific anatomical pathologies as well as countries with limited health resources vein stripping remains a surgical standard procedure.

[Etiology, nomenclature and pathophysiology of chronic venous insufficiency]. / Ätiologie, Nomenklatur und Pathophysiologie der chronisch venösen Insuffizienz.

This article presents current notions and conceptions of the aetiopathogenesis of primary varicosis and chronic venous insufficiency, as well as an updated version of the nomenclature and terminology of venous disorders, which was recently agreed on in an international consensus conference. Furthermore, both CEAP-classification and venous severity score system are discussed.

[Epidemiology of chronic venous diseases]. / Epidemiologie der chronischen Venenkrankheiten.

AIM: Overview of the recent knowledge in epidemiology of chronic venous diseases. METHODS: Systematic search and discussion of recent studies concerning epidemiology of chronic venous diseases. RESULTS: The more recent epidemiologic studies of venous diseases in which the CEAP classification was used showed a prevalence of 60-70 % CEAP clinical class C0 and C1, app. 25 % for C2 and C3 and up to 5 % for C4 to C6 with skin changes or venous ulcers. The incidence of varicose veins is app. 2 % per year. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic venous diseases like varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency belong to the most frequent diseases in our adult population.

Evaluation of great saphenous vein occlusion rate and clinical outcome in patients undergoing laser thermal ablation with a 1470-nm bare fiber laser with low linear endovenous energy density / Avaliação da taxa de obliteração da veia safena magna e da evolução clínica de pacientes submetidos a termoablação com laser 1470 nm, fibra linear e baixa densidade de energia endovenosa linear

Water-specific 1470-nm lasers enable vein ablation at lower energy densities and with fewer side effects because they target interstitial water in the vessel wall. Objectives To determine great saphenous vein (GSV) occlusion rate after thermal ablation with 1470-nm laser using 7W power and to evaluate clinical outcomes and complications. Method Nineteen patients (31 GSVs) underwent thermal ablation. Follow-up duplex scanning, clinical evaluation using the Venous Clinical Severity Score (VCSS), and evaluation of procedure-related complications were performed at 3-5 days after the procedure and at 30 and 180 days. Results Mean patient age was 46 years and 17 of the patients were female (89.47%). Of 31 limbs treated, 2 limbs were clinical class C2, 19 were C3, 9 were C4, and 1 limb was C5 according to the Clinical-Etiology-Anatomy-Pathophysiology (CEAP) classification. Mean linear endovenous energy density was 33.53 J/cm. The GSV occlusion rate was 93.5% immediately after treatment, 100% at 3-5 days and 100% at 30 days after treatment and 87.1% 180 days after treatment. There was a significant reduction in VCSS at all time points. Conclusions The data from this study support the possibility that the incidence of complications can be reduced without significantly affecting the clinical outcomes, by using lower energy density. However, this appears to be at the cost of reduced efficacy in terms of GSV occlusion rates.

O laser de diodo 1470 nm, com comprimento de onda específico para água, tendo como alvo a água intersticial da parede venosa, poderia causar ablação venosa a densidades de energia menores e com menos efeitos colaterais. Objetivos Determinar a taxa de obliteração da veia safena magna (VSM) após termoablação com laser 1470 nm utilizando 7 W de potência e avaliar a evolução clínica e as complicações. Métodos Dezenove pacientes (31 VSMs) foram submetidos a termoablação e reexaminados através de ecodoppler, avaliação clínica utilizando o Venous Clinical Severity Score (VCSS) e avaliação das complicações do procedimento entre 3 e 5 dias e aos 30 e 180 dias de pós-operatório. Resultados A média de idade dos pacientes foi de 46 anos; 17 eram mulheres (89,47%). De acordo com a classificação de Clinical-Etiology-Anatomy-Physiopathology (CEAP), 2 dos 31 membros tratados eram C2, 19 eram C3, 9 eram C4 e 1 membro era C5. A densidade de energia linear endovenosa média foi de 33,53 J/cm. A taxa de obliteração da VSM foi de 93,5% no pós-operatório imediato, de 100% entre 3 e 5 dias e aos 30 dias, e de 87,1% aos 180 dias. Houve uma redução significativa dos valores de VCSS em todos os momentos de avaliação. Conclusões Os dados deste estudo apoiam a possibilidade de que, utilizando baixa densidade de energia, podemos reduzir a incidência de complicações sem afetar significativamente o resultado clínico. No entanto, isso parece ocorrer às custas da diminuição da eficácia em termos de taxa de obliteração da VSM.

Use of the Clinical, Etiologic, Anatomic, and Pathophysiologic classification and Venous Clinical Severity Score to establish a treatment plan for chronic venous disorders.

To be useful in clinical practice and in the evaluation of clinical therapies for chronic venous disorders, a measurement instrument should be objective, inclusive of all severities of venous disease, and rapidly performed by clinicians. The Clinical, Etiologic, Anatomic, and Pathophysiologic classification helps us identify the etiology, whether it is congenital, nonthrombotic, or post-thrombotic; anatomic segments involved, whether deep, superficial, or perforators; and pathophysiologic data, such as reflux or obstruction. The Venous Clinical Severity Score can be used to observe patients longitudinally, especially after interventions, although the total score is biased with regard to advanced disease, such as C4 through C6. To be able to predict progression of disease, more patient-validated instruments are needed. Physician-reported outcomes (the Venous Clinical Severity Score and the Clinical, Etiologic, Anatomic, and Pathophysiologic classification) in association with a patient-reported outcome may be the solution for the development of an ideal treatment plan.

The importance of small saphenous vein reflux on chronic venous disease clinic.

AIM: It is estimated that between 5% to 20% of the adult population in developed countries is affected by chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), thus being the most frequent vascular disorder. Recent studies show that, in most CVI patients, their junctions are competent and the correlated superficial reflux is present along the saphenous vein. Objective of the study was to correlate the presence and distribution of reflux in the saphenous vein with the signs and symptoms of CVI, through CEAP, in female patients. METHODS: Record review of patients with CVI signs and symptoms who underwent clinical and ultrasound examinations in order to classify them according to CEAP. The sample was divided into three groups according to the presence of saphenous vein insufficiency: Group I-SSV, Group II-GSV, and Group III-SSV and GSV. RESULTS: A total of 312 lower limbs of 259 female patients aged between 15 and 85 years were examined. The most prevalent clinical classes in the three groups were C2 (44.55%) and C3 (46.48%). Four patterns of reflux were identified in isolated SSV, with the highest incidence of proximal reflux (69.23%). SPJ impairment was most likely to occur in clinical cases of greater severity. Five patterns of reflux were identified in GSV, with the proximal one the most prevalent (64.42%). CONCLUSION: There is a correlation between the clinical severity of CVI and the reflux along the SSV in association with GSV; the risk of moderate to high clinical severity in group III was 3.6 times higher than in group I and 4.6 times higher than group II.

Peripheral vascular insufficiency impairs functional capacity in patients with heart failure / Insuficiência vascular periférica compromete a capacidade funcional no paciente com insuficiência cardíaca

INTRODUCTION: Heart failure (HF) is a complex syndrome in which effort limitation is associated with deterioration of peripheral musculature. Improving survival rates among these patients have led to the appearance of cases in which other pathologies are associated with HF, such as peripheral vascular insufficiency (PVI). The combination of these two pathologies is common, with significant repercussions for affected patients. OBJECTIVE: To compare functional limitations and quality of life between patients with HF in isolation or HF + PVI. METHOD: Twelve patients with HF+PVI were paired to 12 patients with HF in isolation. All had ejection fraction <40%. The following were conducted: 6 minute walk test (6MWT), chair test (CT), step test (ST), one repetition maximum test (1RM) and quality of life questionnaire. RESULTS: The results for the 6MWT (311±27 vs. 447±29), ST (49±3 vs. 81±10) and CT (17±1 vs. 21±1) were lower in the HF+PVI group than in the HF group (p<0.05). The HF+PVI group exhibited a reduction in the number of steps taken from the first to the second minute of the ST, in relation to the HF group. The HF group exhibited better HR recovery than the HF+PVI group (50±4 vs. 26±3; p<0.05). No differences were found in results for the Borg scale, the peripheral muscle strength test (1RM) or the questionnaires (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The study participants who had mixed disease exhibited a greater degree of functional impairment than the group with HF, without reporting worsened quality of life...

INTRODUÇÃO: A insuficiência Cardíaca (IC) é uma síndrome complexa e a limitação ao esforço está associada à piora da musculatura periférica. Devido à melhora na sobrevida destes pacientes, observa-se o surgimento de patologias associadas à IC, como a insuficiência vascular periférica (IVP). A associação das duas patologias é comum e com grandes prejuízos aos pacientes acometidos. OBJETIVO: Comparar as limitações funcionais e a qualidade de vida em IC isolada e IC + IVP. MÉTODO: Doze pacientes com IC+IVP foram pareados a 12 pacientes com IC isolada. Todos possuíam fração de ejeção <40%. Foram realizados: teste da caminhada de seis minutos (TC6M), teste da cadeira (TCAD), teste do degrau (TD), teste de uma repetição máxima (1RM) e questionário de qualidade de vida. RESULTADOS: Os valores obtidos nos testes TC6M (311±27 vs. 447±29), TD (49±3 vs. 81±10) e TCAD (17±1 vs. 21±1) no grupo IC+IVP foram menores do que no grupo IC (p<0,05), respectivamente. O grupo IC+IVP obteve redução do número de degraus alcançados entre o primeiro e o segundo minuto do TD em relação ao grupo IC. O grupo IC apresentou melhor recuperação da FC em relação ao grupo IC+IVP (50±4 vs. 26±3; p<0,05). Não foi encontrada diferença na escala de Borg, na força muscular periférica (1RM) e nos questionários aplicados (p>0,05). CONCLUSÃO: No presente estudo, os participantes com doença mista apresentaram maior comprometimento funcional em relação ao grupo com IC, sem demonstrar piora na qualidade de vida...

[Russian observational programme SPEKTR: analysis of age-specific structure of patients with chronic venous diseases].

The authors studied the age-related structure of 864 patients with chronic venous diseases (CVD) by means of analysing the database of the Russian Programme SPEKTR (2011-2012). Most often special medical care was sought by persons of able-bodied age (31-60 years): men - 60.6%, women - 63.8%. Class C1 in women was registered at the age under 20 years in 49.5% of cases, in elder groups - from 66.4% to 76.1%. In men, it was registered 1.3-2-8 times less often in all age groups. Class C2 amounted to 75% of cases in women under 20 years; then 50% (21-30 years), increasing to 79.6% (61-70 years). Class C2 in men under 20 years was observed in 100%, then the proportion fluctuated within the bounds of 80% irrespective of the age. The maximum of registering C3 fell to the age of 41-50 years (women - 48%, men - 53.2%). The number of severe forms (C4-C6) in men was considerably more: 31-40 years - 20.2% versus 4.7% in women; 41-50 years - 59.6% versus 17.3%; 51-60 years - 46.7% versus 29.4%. Trophic ulcers were revealed in men most often at the age of 31 - 60 years - 22% in women in the analogous group - 4.9%. The anamnesis of CVD increased with age. Adequate treatment for CVD in all age groups prior to the visit to the phleblogist had been carried out very rarely.

Patterns of reflux in the great saphenous vein system.

OBJECTIVE: To report the patterns of reflux in the great saphenous vein as well as to investigate the correlations between patterns of reflux, the demographics and the clinical findings in the population studied. METHODS: A total of 1882 limbs were assessed by duplex ultrasound examination in 1449 patients (348 men and 1101 women). Ages ranged from 21 to 94 years (mean 51.8). The presence of symptoms of venous disease (aching, heaviness, night cramps, swelling, itching, burning, tingling and throbbing) and clinical signs were recorded. RESULTS: Varicose veins without saphenous reflux occurred at a younger age (43 versus 55.6 years P < 0.05). The presence of incompetence at the saphenofemoral junction occurred in older patients (58.5 versus 54.1 years P < 0.05). Venous reflux to the ankle also occurred in older patients (mean 64.0 years P < 0.05). Saphenous vein reflux without clinical varices was associated with more advanced signs (C4-C6: 20.3% P < 0.05). A younger age was associated with less advanced signs (C0-C2:49.4 versus C4-C6: 60.1 years P < 0.05). Presence of symptoms was associated with advancing patient age (51.1 versus 49.1 years P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A significant correlation between the extent of great saphenous vein reflux and the patient age and the clinical stage of SVI has been observed in this study. The authors hypothesize that these findings support the concept of early treatment of venous insufficiency before symptomatic and physiological deterioration occurs.

Pattern and types of non-saphenous vein reflux.

Venous reflux often originates from saphenous trunks and their tributaries. In about 10% of the patients reflux derived from non-saphenous veins (NSV) such as those located in the buttock, postero-lateral thigh, vulva, lower posterior thigh, popliteal fossa, knee or along the peripheral nerves such as the tibial and sciatic nerve. It is also important to note that patients who had saphenous vein stripping or ablation have higher odds of presenting with NSV reflux. The majority of patients with NSV reflux have varicose veins and lower extremity oedema; however, about 10% of those patients present with skin damage. This paper analyses the patterns and types of NSV reflux for diagnosis and treatment purposes.

[Definition, classification and diagnosis of chronic venous insufficiency - part II]. / Definicja, podzial oraz diagnostyka przewleklej niewydolnosci zylnej - czesc II.

Venous insufficiency can be defined as a fixed venous outflow disturbance of the limbs. It is caused by the malfunction of the venous system, that may or may not be associated with venous valvular insufficiency and may involve the superficial or deep venous system of the lower limbs, or both. The CEAP scale includes clinical, etiologic, anatomic and pathophysiologic aspects and has been used in the assessment of venous insufficiency Clinical classification comprises of 7 groups. It takes into account the appearance of the skin of the lower limbs, presence of edema, teleangiectasis and varicose ulcers. CLINICAL GRADING: Group C0 - no visible changes in the clinical examination; Group C1 - telangiectasis, reticular veins, redness of the skin around the ankles; Group C2 - varicose veins, Group C3 - the presence of edema without skin changes; Group C4 - lesions dependent of venous diseases (discoloration, blemishes, lipodermatosclerosis); C5 Group - skin changes described above with signs of healed venous ulcers; Group C6 - skin lesions such as in groups C1 to C4 plus active venous ulcers. ETIOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION INCLUDES: Ec - congenital defects of the venous system, Ep - primary pathological changes of the venous system, without identification of their causes; Es - secondary causes of venous insufficiency of known etiology (post-thrombotic, post-traumatic, etc.). There are many methods of assessing the venous system. One of the most accurate methods is an ascending phlebography which is especially useful in determining detailed anatomy of the venous system, venous patency and identification of perforans veins. The second method may be a descending phlebography useful in determining the venous reflux and morphology of venous valves. Another radiological method is varicography in which the injection of the contrast medium directly into the veins is performed. It is especially useful in the ,,mapping" of venous connections. Trans-uterine phlebography when contrast medium is injected into the bottom of the uterus and its flow is observed, is a very rare test. A similar method is used in a selective phlebography of the ovarian vein and internal iliac vein. This examination is performed when there is a suspicion of connections between varicose veins of the inferior extremities and the pelvis, in case of the occluded iliac and femoral veins. However these tests are highly invasive, causing a lot of discomfort and are connected with numerous complications, particularly the development of venous thromboembolism. An invasive study but not exposing to the emission of ionizing radiation, is a measurement of the marching pressure (known also as ambulatory venous pressure - AVP). Ultrasound Doppler is the "gold standard" in the diagnosis of venous system. Color Doppler technique is irreplaceable due to its non-invasiveness, availability constantly improving of the ultrasound machines and is the method of choice in pregnancy Unfortunately clinical correlation of Doppler ultrasound and thrombosis is bad. Invasive methods, which include various types of phlebographies, have been reserved only for cases of very high diagnostic doubt.