Wk4AssgnLillyL - Running head VENOUS AND ARTERIAL DISORDERS...

Running head: VENOUS AND ARTERIAL DISORDERS 1
Venous and Arterial Disorders
Leslie Lilly
Walden University
Advanced Pathophysiology
6501
Dr. Linda Frazier
March 23, 2017

Running head: VENOUS AND ARTERIAL DISORDERS 2
Venous and Arterial Disorders
One must first understand what the cardiovascular system entails to understand disorders
that involve the vascular system. The cardiovascular system consists of the heart, blood vessels,
and blood that blood vessels transport. The cardiovascular system is responsible for transporting
oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and cellular waste products throughout the body. Any change to the
function of one or all the components can lead to a vast array of disorders in the body, this makes
it imperative to understand the normal and abnormal functions for proper diagnosis and
treatment of diseases. The purpose of this paper is to explain the pathophysiology of chronic
venous insufficiency and deep vein thrombosis. This will also detail how age is a risk factor,
detail symptoms, and the diagnosis and treatment of said disorders.
Chronic Venous Insufficiency
Chronic venous insufficiency and varicose veins are among the most prevalent medical
problems in the adult population. Lower extremity venous insufficiency and varicose veins are
extremely common disease processes, thought to be the seventh most common indication for
medical referral in the United States (Fan, 2005). Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is defined
as “inadequate venous return over a long period” (Huether & McCance, 2017, p. 598). To
understand venous insufficiency, it is crucial to understand that veins are what return the
circulating blood to the heart from the organs and extremities. There are valves inside of the vein
to prevent backflow and pooling of blood, when they become weak or malfunction, this allows
the blood to leak back or pool in the vein because of gravity. CVI results from varicose veins and
valvular incompetence. Circulation becomes compromised causing tissue hypoxia that goes on to
initiate an inflammatory reaction leading to ulcerations known as venous stasis ulcers.

There are numerous reasons as to why CVI may occur, such as smoking, valve
destruction, valve dysfunction, obesity, thrombus formation in the veins, vein malformations, and
sedentary lifestyle. Symptoms of CVI can range from swelling of the lower extremities, varicose
veins, a leathery appearance to the skin, itching of the legs or feet, and eventually stasis ulcers.