ABSTRACT
The term chronic venous insufficiency embraces a variety of disorders of the lower limb
veins, ranging from simple varicose veins to skin changes and venous ulceration. The
broad condition is characterized by long-term failure of venous return due to reflux in the
superficial, perforating or deep veins, or to combinations of these, failure of the calf
muscle pump, or due to venous outflow obstruction. These conditions lead to ambulatory
or dependent venous hypertension and sequelae of pain, discomfort, swelling, varicose
eczema, lipodermatosclerosis or ulceration.
