What Is Chronic Venous Insufficiency?
Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is a pathological condition in which the veins of the lower extremities fail to adequately return blood to the heart. The result is sustained venous hypertension — elevated blood pressure within the venous system of the leg — which progressively damages vein walls, valves, and surrounding tissues.
Normal Venous Anatomy and Function
Under normal conditions, blood returns from the legs to the heart through a network of superficial and deep veins. One-way valves within these veins prevent retrograde flow (reflux) during the standing and walking positions. The calf muscle pump, when activated during walking, squeezes deep veins and propels blood upward against gravity.
The Pathophysiology of Reflux
When venous valves fail — due to genetics, aging, hormonal changes, or previous thrombosis — blood flows backward during standing and walking. This venous reflux creates sustained high pressure in the superficial venous system. The great saphenous vein (GSV) is the most commonly affected vessel, followed by the small saphenous vein (SSV).
Disease Progression: CEAP C1 to C6
- C1: Spider veins and telangiectasias
- C2: Varicose veins ≥3 mm diameter
- C3: Edema without skin changes
- C4a: Pigmentation and eczema
- C4b: Lipodermatosclerosis
- C5: Healed venous ulcer
- C6: Active venous ulcer
Why Treating the Source Matters
Surface treatments (sclerotherapy, phlebectomy) address varicosities but leave the underlying reflux source untreated. Without ablating the incompetent saphenous trunk, recurrence rates are high. VenaBlock® targets the source — closing the incompetent GSV or SSV — to eliminate the pressure driving varicosity formation and progression.
The Role of Endovenous Closure in CVI Management
Modern guidelines from the European Venous Forum and Society for Vascular Surgery recommend endovenous ablation as the first-line treatment for symptomatic GSV and SSV incompetence. VenaBlock® provides this ablation without thermal energy, making it accessible to a broader patient population with fewer procedural risks.