What is a concern of chronic venous insufficiency?

What is a concern of chronic venous insufficiency?

• A. Bark-like skin appearance with a higher risk for ulceration
• B. Pitting edema with cool limbs
• C. Shiny, hairless skin with diminished pulses
• D. Intermittent claudication

Answer: (A)

In chronic venous insufficiency, venous hypertension in the legs leads to skin and tissue changes that heighten the risk of ulcers. The skin becomes thickened and pigmented from chronic inflammation and hemosiderin deposition, often described as bark-like or leathery. This combination—thickened, pigmented skin with a high ulceration risk—is a hallmark concern in CVI because it reflects ongoing venous damage and poor skin integrity. Edema in CVI is common, but the presence of cool limbs with diminished pulses points toward arterial disease rather than venous disease, and intermittent claudication is characteristic of peripheral arterial disease. Those signs indicate restricted arterial flow rather than venous pooling.

In chronic venous insufficiency, venous hypertension in the legs leads to skin and tissue changes that heighten the risk of ulcers. The skin becomes thickened and pigmented from chronic inflammation and hemosiderin deposition, often described as bark-like or leathery. This combination—thickened, pigmented skin with a high ulceration risk—is a hallmark concern in CVI because it reflects ongoing venous damage and poor skin integrity.

Edema in CVI is common, but the presence of cool limbs with diminished pulses points toward arterial disease rather than venous disease, and intermittent claudication is characteristic of peripheral arterial disease. Those signs indicate restricted arterial flow rather than venous pooling.