Chronic venous insufficiency is associated with venous obstruction, reflux, or both, resulting in ambulatory venous hypertension and inflammation. Lower extremity chronic venous disease (CVD) can be associated with progressive discomfort, heaviness, edema, discoloration, and ulceration. Though often overlooked by healthcare providers, it can impose a significant burden on patients’ quality of life.
In the United States, more than 25 million adults have chronic venous insufficiency. Treatments for CVD range from conservative therapy centered around use of compression and wound care to more invasive approaches such as ablation, sclerotherapy, phlebectomy, venoplasty, and stenting.
The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions (SCAI) developed these evidence-based guidelines to support patients, clinicians, and other stakeholders in their treatment decisions about management of CVD.
All authors: Robert R. Attaran, MD, FSCAI (Chair); Matthew L. Edwards, DO, FSCAI (Vice Chair); Frank J. Arena, MD, FSCAI; Matthew Bunte, MD, MS, FSCAI; Jeffrey G. Carr, MD, FSCAI; Yulanka Castro-Dominguez, MD, FSCAI; Audrey Espinoza, MD, FSCAI; Dmitriy Feldman, MD, FSCAI; Scott Firestone; Eri Fukaya, MD; Karem Harth, MD; Beau Hawkins, MD, FSCAI; Sasanka Jayasuriya, MD, FSCAI; Pamela Kim, MD; Faisal Latif, MD, FSCAI; Sahil Parikh, MD, FSCAI; Eric Secemsky, MD, FSCAI; Emily Senerth, MS, MPH; Yngve Falck-Ytter, MD; and Rebecca L. Morgan, PhD, MPH.
Patient Resources
Using shared decision-making tools during appointments can help you understand your patient's values and discuss treatment options with them.
As patients tend to forget a significant amount of information immediately following a medical consultation, providing written information and encouraging note-taking can aid their recall, improving adherence to treatment plans and outcomes.
SCAI has two tools you can download to aid patient decision-making and recall during the treatment process for CVD:
- A list of questions for them to ask their doctor, with space for note-taking
- A concise illustrated comparison of treatment options for CVD
Find these and other resources on SecondsCount, SCAI's patient website.
Other Guidance Documents
Evidence-based recommendations that promote optimal patient case based on current state-of the-art science in interventional cardiology.