The Difference of Pathophysiology of Chronic Vein Insufficiency and Deep Venous Thrombosis

Pathophysiology of Chronic Vein Insufficiency and Deep Venous Thrombosis
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Pathophysiology of Chronic Vein Insufficiency and Deep Venous Thrombosis
Introduction
Blood coagulation process is essential in the body system as it helps in the prevention of excessive blood loss in case of injuries. However, internal blood coagulation is associated with lots of health complication which may result to death if not treated on time. To this end, this article will offer a descriptive analysis of two disorders arising from blood coagulation that is, chronic venous insufficiency and deep venous thrombosis. It will discuss their pathophysiology, factors that trigger, diagnosis and treatment of these two disorders as well as providing similarities and differences between arterial thrombosis and venous thrombosis.
Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI) is a disease caused by venous reflux, calf muscle pump dysfunction or venous obstruction. Among the causes, venous reflux is the most common cause of the disease, which results from venous valve abnormalities. On the other hand, venous obstruction in ileocaval veins is believed to account for twenty-five percent of chronic venous insufficiency (Goroll & Mulley, 2009). In addition, extravasation of red blood cells and macromolecules of the chronic venous insufficiency is caused by high venous pressure. In turn, an elevated pressure experienced in the dermal microcirculation stimulates an inflammatory response, which may result in the damage of tissues and also impedes healing (Goroll & Mulley, 2009). Furthermore, tissue hypoxia and a reduced capillary tissue flow increase tissue breakdown, limiting tissue healing in the process (Goroll & Mulley, 2009). As such the condition makes the body prone to infections such as lymphatic damage, increasing the problem even further.
Common symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency include the presentation of body skin changes and edema. The skin changes associated with the condition include healed or active ulceration, hyperpigmentation, and lipodermatosclerosis. On the other hand, edema condition, which is a disease associated with excess watery fluid collecting in the body tissues and cavities, when associated with chronic venous insufficiency may range from moderate to severe (Goroll & Mulley, 2009).
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) pathophysiology was first described in 1846 by Virchow, as blood clotting in the deep veins, a condition which arises from changes in the venous system. The disorder occurs mainly in the veins found in the calves, and partially in proximal veins such as femoral, iliac vessels and popliteal. If not treated within the stipulated time, deep vein thrombosis may extend from valves where it mostly arises from, to the proximal veins, leading to the development of post-phlebitis syndrome and pulmonary embolism. What triggers the condition development is normally unclear, but most contributing factors are internal damage, hypercoagulability, being stasis; for example, during traveling post-surgery, orthopedic surgery, trauma, and pregnancy. Other factors include malignancy, obesity and using estrogen-containing medications. For instance, during an immobilized state, venous stasis may occur ...