Ivkov-Simic, Duran V, Matic M, Gajinov Z, Jovanovic M, Matovic L.
[Chronic venous insufficiency and compression therapy]
[Article in Serbo-Croatian (Roman)]
Med Pregl 2001 Jan-Feb;54(1-2):69-74

Klinika za kozno-venericne bolesti, Klinicki centar, Novi Sad. harms@eunet.yu

INTRODUCTION: Disorders of venous circulation are among most frequent diseases in
the human population. During recent years there has been increased interest in
physiopathology of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), due to development of more
accurate diagnostic methods and new therapeutic techniques. Considering
patophysiology of CVI and its consequences the crucial points are stasis and
reflux of blood flow, with increase of intravascular pressure. CLASSIFICATION AND
THERAPY OF CVI: Empirical experience and theoretical models suggest that
progression of the disease can be stopped or reverted by correction of stasis.
Today, this is the main direction in all therapeutic approaches. Compression
therapy represents the most successful conservative technique. In this article we
are presenting basic principles of the compression therapy of CVI. Evidence for
the physiologic effect of compression therapy are decrease of edema, softening of
lipodermatosclerosis, acceleration of venous flow, decrease in venous volume,
blood shift into central compartments, reduction of venous refluxes, influence on
arterial flow and improvement of microcirculation and lymph drainage. There are
several types of compression devices: elastic stockings, elastic bandages,
inelastic bandages, intermittent pneumatic compression devices. Other advantages
of compression therapy are decrease of hospital treatment and better quality of
life for patients with CVI.