Peripheral Vascular Disease Essentials for Advanced Practice Providers-Video: Venous Disease and Venous Thromboembolism

Video Transcription

Video Summary

In this video, Christy Willox from Ballard CVA Heart in Kingsport, Tennessee discusses venous disease and venous thromboembolism (VTE). She begins by providing some statistics about the prevalence and costs of venous disease, emphasizing the importance of preventing long-term issues like ulcerations. She then delves into the anatomy of the venous system and explains how venous valves work to prevent blood from flowing backwards and causing venous hypertension. She discusses the causes of valve dysfunction, such as blood clots, injury, surgery, weight gain, and genetic factors.<br /><br />Willocks explains the symptoms and signs of chronic venous disease, including heaviness, leg pain, varicose veins, and skin changes. She describes the physical examination findings that may suggest venous insufficiency, such as varicose veins, hemosiderin staining, lipodermatosclerosis, and venous ulcers. She also explains the use of compression stockings and leg elevation as conservative treatment options.<br /><br />Moving on to VTE, Willocks explains that it includes deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). She highlights the risk factors for VTE, including clotting disorders, immobility, recent surgery, trauma, pregnancy, smoking, cancer, and hormone therapy. She outlines the symptoms of DVT, such as leg pain, swelling, warmth, and redness, as well as the symptoms of PE, including chest pain, shortness of breath, and low blood pressure.<br /><br />Willocks discusses the first-line treatment for VTE, which is anticoagulation therapy, and introduces various anticoagulant medications. She explains the different phases of VTE treatment and mentions the importance of preventing post-thrombotic syndrome and right ventricular failure. She also mentions the use of systemic and catheter-directed thrombolysis in severe cases.<br /><br />Finally, Willocks briefly covers other treatment options for venous insufficiency, such as sclerotherapy, thermal ablation techniques, non-thermal treatments, phlebectomy, and venous stenting. She mentions the rare condition of phlegmasia cerulea dolens and discusses IVC filters as a temporary measure for patients who cannot take anticoagulant therapy.<br /><br />The video provides a comprehensive overview of venous disease and VTE, explaining their causes, symptoms, diagnostic methods, and treatment options.

Keywords

venous disease

venous thromboembolism

venous valves

chronic venous disease

anticoagulation therapy

compression stockings

deep vein thrombosis