Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI)
Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI), also known as vein disease, occurs when the valves in your leg veins become weakened or damaged — causing blood to pool instead of flow efficiently back to the heart. Over time, this leads to symptoms such as swelling, heaviness, pain, and visible varicose veins.
CVI is one of the most common underlying causes of many vein-related conditions. Find a clinic near you to discuss diagnosis and treatment options.
Common Symptoms of CVI include:
- Swelling in the legs or ankles
- Aching, heaviness, or fatigue in the legs
- Skin discoloration or thickening
- Restless legs or cramping at night
- Varicose or spider veins
- Open sores or ulcers (in advanced stages)
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What Causes CVI?
Chronic venous insufficiency develops when vein walls or valves are weakened or damaged. This may result from prolonged standing, obesity, pregnancy, blood clots (DVT), or a family history of vein disease. Aging and hormonal changes can also increase risk.
How It’s Diagnosed
A vascular specialist may perform a physical exam and a duplex ultrasound to evaluate blood flow and check for valve dysfunction or reflux. These noninvasive tests help determine the severity of venous insufficiency.
Chronic Venous Insufficiency Treatments
Fortunately, CVI is highly treatable with modern, minimally invasive procedures.
Common treatments include:
- Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) – seals off damaged veins
- Sclerotherapy – collapses smaller diseased veins
- VenaSeal™ – a medical adhesive used to seal the diseased vein shut
- Varithena – foam-based treatment for varicose veins
- Microphlebectomy – removes large visible veins
- Lifestyle support – compression stockings, leg elevation, exercise
Frequently Asked Questions
While damaged veins cannot be repaired, treatments can reroute blood flow and effectively relieve symptoms long-term.
Varicose veins are often a result of CVI, not the cause.
Yes — untreated CVI can progress to skin breakdown and ulcers.
Adults over 40, women, those with family history, or anyone who stands or sits for long periods.
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