Chronic Venous Insufficiency

Abstract

Varicose veins are a common manifestation of chronic venous disease and affect approximately 25% of adults in the western hemisphere. The historical standard treatment has been surgery, with high ligation and stripping, combined with phlebectomies. In the past decade, alternative treatments such as endovenous ablation of the great saphenous vein (GSV) with laser, radiofrequency ablation, and ultrasonography-guided foam sclerotherapy have gained popularity. Performed as office-based procedures using tumescent local anesthesia, the new minimally invasive techniques have been shown in numerous studies to obliterate the GSV, eliminate reflux, and improve symptoms safely and effectively.

Keywords: Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI); Deep vein reflux; Phlebectomy; Plethysmography; Radiofrequency ablation; Sclerotherapy; Superficial venous reflux; Valvular incompetence.