What's chronic venous insufficiency?

There are two types: Chronic venous insufficiency is when veins do not pump enough oxygen-poor blood back to the heart. This is caused by the valves in the veins leaking or flowing backwards. It usually occurs in the leg . It can be caused by the deep veins leaking [ less common ] or the superficial veins leaking[ more common] . Superficial venous insufficiency is the underlying cause of varicose and spider veins.

CVI: Venous valvular insufficiency or venous reflux (venous blood flowing backwards because vein valve are broken) can cause varicose veins and swelling. When prolonged and severe though, the high pressure and inflammation that is produced from the reflux can cause skin damage and even ulceration. When this occurs, it is referred to as chronic venous insufficiency (or the older term venous stasis).

Valve disease: Chronic venous insufficiency results from valve dysfunction in the venous system. This causes the pressure in the veins just under the skin to become too high resulting in swelling of the veins. These veins enlarge and become varicose, leak water causing leg swelling, leak blood resulting in skin discoloration. Ulcers occur if the vein pressure becomes so high that it restricts arterial flow

Chronic venous insuf: Chronic venous insufficiency is due to the back flow of blood in the veins usually in the lower extremities. Back flow is usually protected by valves in the veins that become faulty over time allowing blood to pool. This increases the pressure of blood in the veins and fluid (and a small amount of blood) leaks into the tissues causing swelling, pain, inflammation, and on the skin ulcerations.