ABSTRACT
Chronic venous disease is common in Western countries. Over 30 million U.S. citizens are
affected with some manifestation of venous disease while skin changes suggestive of the
disease are noted in about 6 million and venous ulcers are observed in up to 2% of those
with chronic venous insufficiency (about one half million patients) (1-3). Recent
population studies confirm these observations (4). The annual cost of treating venous
ulcers is estimated to be greater than one billion dollars in the United States (5).
