Vein Glossary

Below is a glossary of terms related to all aspects of venous disease

0 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Ablation
A generic term that refers to the closing of the greater saphenous vein (GSV), small saphenous vein (SSV), or anterior accessory saphenous vein using heat from a laser or radio frequency catheter.
  -- Endovenous Thermal Ablation of Superficial Venous Insufficiency of the Lower Extremity: Single-Center Experience with 3000 Limbs Treated in a 7-Year Period


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.


Ambulatory Venous Pressure
The venous pressure measured in the standing position after exercise. The higher the pressure the more significant the problem.
  -- The relation of venous ulceration with ambulatory venous pressure measurements


Aneurysm of the Vein
The definition is a ballooning of the vein at greater than 1.5x 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.
  -- Aneurysms of the superficial venous system: classification and treatment


Angiogenesis
A network of new veins.
  -- Determination of Incidence and Risk Factors for Postsclerotherapy Telangiectatic Matting of the Lower Extremity: A Retrospective Analysis


Angiomata
A collection of blood vessels.


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.
  -- Endovenous Laser Ablation (EVLA) of the Anterior Accessory Great Saphenous Vein (AAGSV): Abolition of Sapheno-Femoral Reflux with Preservation of the Great Saphenous Vein
  -- Aneurysms of the superficial venous system: classification and treatment


Anticoagulation
Anticoagulation refers to thinning of the blood and is used to prevent and treat clots. Some medications that do this include Coumadin (Warfarin), Low Molecular Weight Heparin, Xarelto, and others.
  -- Long-Term, Low-Intensity Warfarin Therapy for the Prevention of Recurrent Venous Thromboembolism
  -- Clot Connect


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.
  -- http://www.clotconnect.org/


CEAP Class
A classification system of the cause, location, and severity of venous problems.
  -- Revision of the CEAP classification for chronic venous disorders: Consensus statement


Chronic Venous Hypertension
The term used to describe the longstanding high pressure in the venous system.


Chronic venous insufficiency
Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is a condition that occurs when the venous wall and/or valves in the leg veins are not working effectively, making it difficult for blood to return to the heart from the legs.
  -- The care of patients with varicose veins and associated chronic venous diseases: Clinical practice guidelines of the Society for Vascular Surgery and the American Venous Forum


Compression
A term used to describe the use of surgical stockings, ACE wraps, or other dressings to reduce the venous pressure at the skin level.
  -- Use of Compression Stockings in Chronic Venous Disease: Patient Compliance and Efficacy
  -- Compression versus sclerotherapy for patients with isolated refluxing reticular veins and telangiectasia: a randomized trial comparing quality-of-life outcomes


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


Deep Venous Disease
Any abnormality that affects the deep venous system, such as reflux or clots.
  -- The hemodynamics and diagnosis of venous disease


Dermaka
A natural plant extract cream used post procedures as well as for bruises.
  -- dermaka


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


Duplex Ultrasound Examination
The venous duplex examination permits your vein specialist to see the anatomy and check the flow characteristics of the veins beneath your skin. Useful information is gathered that your doctor can use to adequately diagnose your specific vein problem and to plan and guide treatment.


Endovenous Laser Treatment (EVLT)
This is where a small laser filament is inserted into a vein to cause thrombosis of the vein and scarring.
  -- Endovenous thermal ablation of superficial venous insufficiency of the lower extremity: single-center experience with 3000 limbs treated in a 7-year period.
  -- 940-nm Laser for Treatment of Saphenous Insufficiency: Histological Analysis and Long-Term Follow-Up
  -- Histological changes occurring after endoluminal ablation with two diode lasers (940 and 1319 nm) from acute changes to 4 months


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.
  -- Major neurological events following foam sclerotherapy
  -- Complications of foam sclerotherapy
  -- Subcutaneous injection of liquid and foamed polidocanol: extravasation is not responsible for skin necrosis during reticular and spider vein sclerotherapy.