VENOUS DISEASES

OBSTRUCTIVE PATHOLOGIES

When the blood coagulates inside the venous system it creates a thrombosis which, depending on the district affected, can be superficial (located in the superficial venous system) or deep (located in the deep venous system). The thrombosis can be serious or not so serious, and can be without symptoms (it causes no discomfort) or can seriously affect the leg. Since thrombosis is often associated with inflammatory symptoms such as pain, heat or reddening it is called phlebitis or thrombophlebitis.
Venous thrombosis can also be complicated by another serious condition, namely pulmonary embolism. This is caused when the thrombus (or blood clot) moves from the leg and arrives at the heart, passing into the lung, where it blocks a branch of the pulmonary aorta. The consequences are serious and, at times, dramatic. For this reason, venous thromboses should, wherever possible, be prevented; by adequate physical cures or with prophylactic medicines or, once they have presented, should be swiftly diagnosed (ultrasound/Doppler) and cured. Deep venous thrombosis therapy varies depending on the gravity of the symptoms and the time that has elapsed since they appeared; therapy is often pharmaceutical, and more rarely surgical. In selected cases it can involve inserting a filter in the cava vein. This is in the form of a metal "umbrella" which, placed between the thrombosis and the lung, prevents pulmonary embolism. In preventing and treating venous thrombosis the elastic stocking also performs an important containment function.
Superficial venous thrombosis or superficial phlebitis are less serious in that they become dangerous only if not properly treated and, once treated, only infrequently do they leave any kind of residue.