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This information is designed to provide you with helpful educational information but is for information purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used as an alternative to speaking with your doctor. No representation is made that the information provided is current, complete, or accurate. Medtronic does not assume any responsibility for persons relying on the information provided. Be sure to discuss questions specific to your health and treatments with a healthcare professional. For more information please speak to your healthcare professional.

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Home Patients & Caregivers Conditions Heart & Vascular CVI (Varicose Veins) What is CVI?

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  • CVI (Varicose Veins)
    • What is CVI?
    • CVI Treatment Options
      • Thermal Ablation Treatment for Varicose Veins
      • Cyanoacrylate Ablation Treatment for Varicose Veins
    • Frequently asked questions
    • Living with CVI
F436CEEC-D726-4247-B576-AC05323F658A Contact & Support

About the condition

About Chronic Venous Insufficiency

 

What is CVI

CVI symptoms

CVI Causes

Treatment options

Find a specialist

 

Healthy leg veins have valves that keep blood flowing to the heart. Vein disease develops when the valves stop working properly and allow blood to flow backward (i.e., reflux) and pool in the lower leg veins. 

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Venous Reflux

Venous reflux is a progressive medical condition and if left untreated, may worsen over time and develop into another form of venous disease called chronic venous insufficiency (CVI).1

Chronic Venous Insufficiency

If CVI is left untreated, legs can sometimes develop painful sores or wounds on the skin’s surface called ulcers. Normally ulcers may appear near the ankles or lower leg and are brought on from the increased build-up of fluid and blood pressure from veins affected by CVI.1

CVI Symptoms²

  • Varicose Veins
  • Swelling
  • Heaviness or tiredness
  • Restlessness
  • Aching or pain
  • Cramping
  • Itching, sores or ulcers
  • Skin changes and /or discolouration 
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Treatment options

Images courtesy of Rajabrata Sarkar, M.D., Ph.D.

Treatment options

CVI Causes²

  • Family history
  • Smoking
  • Current or previous pregnancies
  • Obesity or excess weight
  • Prolonged sitting or standing
  • Leg injury or trauma
  • Lack of exercise
Treatment options

CVI Treatment Options

The goal of treatment for vein disease is to reduce or stop the backward flow of blood. There are a few ways that may be prescribed to treat varicose veins.

View treatment options (opens new window)
TEST
Find a specialist

If you think you have CVI or just want to know more about your symptoms, you can start by speaking with your regular doctor using your symptom quiz answers.

If you do have CVI, you may need to speak with a specialist. These doctors are trained in diagnosing and treating CVI.*

*Medtronic provides this listing as a service. We have no vested interest in any specific physicians, nor do we provide any recommendation, assurance, or guarantee with respect to their service. This listing may not be a complete list of all physicians who provide this service. Information on this site should not be used as a substitute for talking with your doctor. Always talk with your doctor about diagnosis and treatment information.

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Living with CVI

Find out more

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Treatment options

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FAQ's

Frequently Asked Questions


References

1.Eberhardt RT, Raffetto JD. Chronic venous insufficiency. Circulation. 2014;130:333-346.

2.Chronic Venous Insufficiency. Johns Hopkins Medicine. Available at: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/chronic-venous-insufficiency(opens new window). Accessed March 10, 2022.

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