Anterior Accessory Branch Greater Saphenous Vein (AAGSV):
One of the large superficial branches on the anterior thigh associated with the development of varicose veins in about 10% of patients.

Anticoagulation:
Anticoagulation refers to thinning of the blood and is used to prevent and treat clots.

Aneurysm of the Vein:
The definition is a ballooning of the vein at greater than 1 ½ times the diameter of the adjacent veins. Aneurysms can be benign and cause no problems or they can be the source of a clot that can travel to the lungs (pulmonary embolus). The treatment depends on the location and the nearby anatomy.

Blood Clot:
A blood clot may occur from trauma, inflammation, or abnormal clotting factors and is simply a mixture of blood components that have formed from a liquid to a solid state.

Deep Venous Disease:
Any abnormality that affects the deep venous system, such as reflux or clots.

Duplex Ultrasonography:
Combines ultrasound with a doppler commonly used today. The doppler is able to measure blood flow.

Foam Sclerotherapy:
Foam sclerotherapy is the injection of a sclerosing solution mixed with either carbon dioxide (C02) or air into a vein that causes thrombosis of the vein and eventual resolution.

Greater Saphenous Vein: (GSV)
The GSV courses from the groin to the ankle on the inner aspect of the leg. The GSV is responsible for most visible bulging veins in the thigh and inner aspect of the calf. All veins have valves, and if the valve does not work right, then bulging varicosites occur through the branches of the GSV.

High Ligation:
Refers to the process of dividing the saphenous vein in the groin when the patient has saphenous insufficiency. In the United States, this procedure is being rapidly replaced with thermal ablation.

Laser: (Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation)
A laser is used to treat veins. The laser delivers a single wavelength of intense electromagnetic radiation (light energy) directly into the vein, causing intense heat that destroys the lining of the vein. The vein will eventually clot and scar down.

Lumen:
The lumen is the opening inside of the vein in which blood flows.

Lymphedema:
Lymphedema refers to swelling in the legs due to abnormal flow of fluid through lymph vessels.

Matting: Cluster of red veins close together that can occur after treatment with sclerotherapy. This is thought to be an inflammatory response.

Pelvic Congestion Syndrome:
Refers to pain in the pelvic region related to dilated uterine and/or ovarian veins. May also be associated with vulvar varicosities.

Phlebitis:
Inflammation of the vein wall and may lead to clot formation.

Perforator:
Perforator veins connect the superficial system to the deep system. These veins normally drain blood from the superficial veins to the deep veins as part of the process of returning oxygen-depleted blood to the heart.

Reflux:
Venous reflux occurs when the valves that usually keep blood flowing out of your legs become diseased and no longer function as one-way valves. The blood refluxes back into your legs and is basically going the wrong way. The blood is being pushed back into the leg, instead of moving towards the heart for proper oxygenation.

Reticular Vein:
The bluish/greenish veins are close to the skin surface. They are usually visible and everyone has them. When there is increased transmitted venous pressure, reticular veins sometimes will dilate or be associated with spider veins.

Sclerotherapy:
Sclerotherapy is the injection of a sclerosing solution into a vein that causes thrombosis of the vein and eventual resolution.

Small Saphenous Vein (SSV):
 Formally called Short Saphenous Vein or Lesser Saphenous Vein:
The small saphenous vein is located in the back of the leg. The vein starts at the crease in the knee and runs down the back of the calf and angles to the outside of the foot. This vein is responsible for varicose veins in 10% of patients. Varicose veins are located on the back of the calf or thigh. The vein empties into a deep vein called 'popliteal'. The popliteal vein is the main deep vein in the knee area.

Spider Vein:
Small red and bluish veins located just beneath the skin surface. Spider veins are usually associated with higher venous pressure in the reticular venous system. They can be associated with hormonal changes, pregnancy, heredity, and reflux in the deeper venous system.

Staining:
Staining refers to a brownish discoloration and often times seen after sclerotherapy treatment. This represents the iron pigment in the blood and resolves in most cases in a few weeks or months.

Stripping:
The saphenous vein is removed by using a small wire that is passed from the groin to below the knee.

Superficial thrombophlebitis / Superficial Vein Thrombosis (SVT):
Inflammation of a vein due to a blood clot in a vein usually located in veins near the skin surface.

Superficial Vein:
Veins that are located closer to the skin above the muscles of the thigh and lower leg. In most cases, superficial veins are responsible for the bulging veins called varicosities.

Thrombosis:
Thrombosis is the formation of a blood clot inside a blood vessel that obstructs the flow of blood through the circulatory system.

Valve:
This is a thin tissue in the lumen of the vein itself. When working properly, the valve prevents blood from leaking back down the vein the wrong way. Valves may not work right due to hereditary or previous clots.

Varicose Vein:
Varicose veins are dilated veins near the surface of the skin that occur secondary to weakened valves and veins in your legs. In veins, there are one-way valves that keep blood flowing from your legs back up to your heart. When the valves are not functioning properly, blood collects in the veins in your legs and the pressure builds up. The veins become weakened, enlarged, and have a twisted appearance and may be dark blue in color. 
Varicose veins tend to run in families. Other causes of varicose veins include prior pregnancy, standing for long periods of time, age, tall stature, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and oral contraceptive use. Varicose veins are commonly found in the lower extremities.

Vein:
Veins return blood to the heart. There are many veins named and un-named in the human body. Veins contain valves which prevent back flow of blood.

Venous Ulcer:
 A venous leg ulcer is a chronic, non-healing wound and occurs in individuals who have problems with the veins in their legs. Pressure gets too high in the veins, and this causes a breakdown of tissues that usually occurs around the ankles.

Ultrasound:
An ultrasound uses sound waves that are emitted through a hand-held probe placed on the skin. Gel is used for better skin contact and this helps eliminate air that may interfere with the transmission of the sound waves. The sound waves pass through the tissues beneath the probe and are bounced back from the veins.

Venous specialists use ultrasound to diagnose and treat venous disease of the lower legs. By doing an ultrasound, your doctor can get valuable information such as the size and location of your veins and the direction of blood flow within the veins. The information from the ultrasound examination is necessary in order to plan appropriate treatment.

Venous Imaging Simplified

Air Plethysmography
Tool that measures the ability of your muscle pump which means the ability of your calf muscles to pump blood out of your veins.

CTV or MRV
Advanced radiologic imaging devices (CT scan/ MRI scan) to non-invasively look at veins of the abdomen and pelvis.

IVUS
Using a special modality that looks inside your veins by ultrasound

Venography
is a procedure in which an x-ray of the veins is taken after the doctor injects a special dye into your veins.

Ultrasound:
Your doctor uses an ultrasound to diagnose and treat venous disease of your legs. The ultrasound provides information such as the size and location of your veins and the direction of the blood flow within your veins. This is non-invasive and your doctor uses a hand held probe.

Ron Bush, MD, FACS
Peggy Bush, APN, CNS, MSN