Damaged vein walls hinder the circulatory system, allowing blood to collect and flow in a retrograde (backward) fashion when the muscles relax. This creates an unusually high pressure buildup in the veins.
Description
The leg veins carry deoxygenated blood from the limbs back to the heart – against gravity. Venous leg pain may be caused by either superficial venous insufficiency due to a dysfunction in the superficial vein valves that are designed to prevent blood flowing backwards away from the heart or Deep Vein Disease which occurs in pelvis due to increased pressure on the pelvic veins (iliac veins) causing an obstructive phenomenon preventing or slowing blood flow out of the legs.
Leg pain, swelling, discolouration, ulcerations, cellulitis/infections and/or blood clots may develop due to pelvic/iliac vein compression. Blood clots can form in pelvic veins that are compressed. A blood clot can possibly break off and travel to the lungs causing a pulmonary embolism (PE). Symptoms include shortness of breath and elevated heart rate.
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot in the deep venous system. Patients are more at risk for PE when diagnosed with DVT. Superficial vein thrombosis (SVT) is a blood clot in the superficial system or near the surface of the skin. This may cause redness and pain in the limb but is typically not treated as aggressively since the risk of PE is lower than DVT.
Risk Factors
Pelvis/leg fractures
Pregnancy
Obesity
Injury to veins
Birth Control/Oral Contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy
Smoking
Indwelling catheter
Ageing (Over the age of 60 increases risk)
Immobility and Sedentariness (sitting for long periods of time, bedrest)
Fibroid Disease
Large Heavy Legs
Long term IVC filter
Inherited clotting disorder
Recent surgery or trauma
Past history of venous thrombosis
Predispositions
Family history of blood clots
Cancer
Heart Failure
Lupus and other autoimmune disorders
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Type A blood group
Family history of varicose veins
Health Care Services
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A common method that
helps visualize the arteries and measure blood flow using sound waves. We are a certified
Vascular Lab performing detailed ultrasound of the arteries
and veins.
To help open a narrow or blocked blood vessel, Dr. Ahmad can perform angioplasty and stenting during a procedure. An angioplasty temporarily stretches out the blood vessel, while stenting is performed to permanently hold it open
Thrombolysis is the process by which a catheter is used to bring platelet-dissolving medicine, to the affected site. Thrombectomy uses a catheter to physically crush and/or remove the buildup.
A filter can be placed via a tiny pin hole over the collar bone, or in the groin, into the large abdominal vein to prevent any clots from traveling to the lung arteries (pulmonary embolus).
