Running head: DISORDERS OF THE VEINS AND ARTERIES 1

Disorders of the Veins and Arteries

Name

Institutional Affiliation
DISORDERS OF THE VEINS AND ARTERIES 2

Disorders of the Veins and Arteries

Pathophysiology

Pathophysiology of DVT

Patients with this disorder have clotting factors and platelets accumulated

either behind the valve in the venous circulation or at the bifurcations of the venous

system (Patel et al. 2016). The immune responses induce inflammation as a result of

the thrombus that grows proximally through propagation from the aggregation of

thrombin, platelets, red blood cells, and fibrin (Huether, & McCance, 2017).

Virchow’s Triad is a combination of conditions which promote the disorder. One of

them is venous stasis, for instance, congestive heart failure, age, and immobility. The

second one is venous endothelial damage, for example, intravenous medications and

trauma. The last one is hypercoagulable states such as the use of hormone

replacement therapy and oral contraceptives, pregnancy, malignancy, and inherited

disorders. The patients will encounter the obstructed flow of blood, inflammation,

redness, and calf pain. Food dorsiflexion usually causes calf discomfort (Patel et al.,

2016).

Pathophysiology of CVI

The disorder tardily evolves from the interruption of the valvular competency

within the low-pressure venous circulation to produce a deficient venous distention,

reflux, and return (Weiss et al., 2016). It often occurs from varicose veins, venous

hypertension, tissue hypoxia, and circulatory stasis caused by valvular incompetence

of veins. A varicose vein is distended, palpable, and tortuous vein with pooled blood

(Huether, & McCance, 2017). Deficient venous return leads to an inflammatory

response. Thus slow circulation, ulcerations, and fibriosclerotic remodeling of the

skin occur to adversities; therefore, blood circulation slows down. As a result, the
DISORDERS OF THE VEINS AND ARTERIES 3

patient will have tissue necrosis, infection, or the two. CVI disease progresses slowly.

Usually, people living with the disorder will observe symptoms such as restless or

heaviness legs, leg fatigue, swelling of lower extremities, cramping, burning, and

aching (Weiss et al., 2016).

Difference between CVI and DVT

The two disorders are critical conditions of the blood vessels whose relation is their

causal similarity, since CVI is often caused by DVT. But, DVT and CVI are different

in that DVT is brought about by blood clots in deep vessels while CVI occurs at the

valves of superficial vessels and excessive pressure inside the vessels is the major

cause.

Epidemiology

Females have proved to be more prevalent to the two diseases more than

males. Gynecologic or obstetric conditions in females significantly contribute the

prevalence, and this increases risk factors. A woman’s risk for the disorder will

increase with hypercoagulability that pregnancy, and use of oral contraceptives and

hormone replacement therapies (Huether, & McCance, 2017). They must, therefore,

be taught on how and when to properly use hormone replacement therapies and oral

contraceptives, as well as ways that reduce the risks of DVT and CVI. The measures

include not crossing legs, wearing correctly-fitting clothes, using compression

stockings, nutritious costume diets, and exercises.

Diagnoses and Treatment

For CVI, the process will involve venous dermatitis, ulceration,

hyperpigmentation, exhibiting edema, or physical examination, magnetic resonance

venography, duplex ultrasonography, a D-dimer serum blood test, and family, social,

and medical histories (Weiss et al., 2016). Once these symptoms are observed, the
 DISORDERS OF THE VEINS AND ARTERIES 4

treatment for CVI is usually meant for lessening the signs that the disease causes to

the patient. Non-invasive treatment options for the disease include wearing a

compression stocking, elevating legs, physical exercise (Huether & McCance, 2017).

On the other hand, a nurse will confirm a DVT diagnosis by taking a patient’s

histories, Doppler ultrasonography, coagulation blood tests, or D-dimer (Huether &

McCance, 2012). The prophylaxis for the inpatients might include sequential

compression devices, anti-coagulation, or early ambulation (SCDs, Huether &

McCance, 2012). In some instances, surgery may be recommended.

Mind Maps

DVT Mind Map

Symptoms
Pathophysiology  Redness swelling and
 Blood clots form on pain at infected place
the vessel wall  The neighboring tissues
 Disruption of normal become discolored
venous flow  Difficulties in breathing
 Infarction injury to secondary from PE
the neighboring
tissues and muscles

Epidemiology
Women are more prevalent than
men. A woman’s risk for the
disorder will increase with
hypercoagulability that DVT Diagnosis
pregnancy, and use of oral  Physical
contraceptives and hormone Examination-
replacement therapies redness,
inflammation,
and pain at site
 Venous Doppler
studies
 Positive D-dimer
test

Treatment
 Compression
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CVI Mind Map

Pathophysiology  Symptons
 The valvular structures are  Varicose veins
damaged  Pooling of blood
 The pliability of veins  The site swells
and tissue get
increases
destroyed
 Reduction in venous return

CVI Diagnosis
Epidemiology
 The disorder  Ambulatory
manifests itself more Venous
on women as Pressure
compared to men. Monitoring
 Venous
Doppler
Treatment reflux studies
 Physical
 Putting on
examination:
compression
stocking
 Physical exercise
 Elevation
 Sometimes, surgery
DISORDERS OF THE VEINS AND ARTERIES 6

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2017). Venous thromboembolism (blood

clots). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/dvt/index.html

Huether, S. E., & McCance, K. L. (2017). Understanding pathophysiology (6th ed.).

St. Louis, MO: Mosby.

Patel, K., & Chung, L. J., & Chang, J. S. (2016). Deep venous thrombosis. Medscape.

Retrieved from http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1911303-

overview#showall

Vascular Disease foundation. (n.d.). Chronic venous insufficiency. Retrieved from

http://www.vasculardisease.org/flyers/chronic-venous-insufficiency-flyer.pdf

Weiss, R., & Izaguirre Anaribe, D. (2016). Venous Insufficiency. Medscape. Retrieved

from http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1085412-overview