Inland Vascular Institute

Information may not be reliable

This site is designed to educate the public, patients and physicians with regard to vascular disease. The site has information about available therapies, diagnostic techniques and tools, and available services within the Northwest.

Chronic venous insufficiency is a common problem in the U.S., affecting approximately 5% of the general population. It is estimated that 1/2 million patients suffer from ulceration of the lower extremity as a result of longstanding venous disease.

An elaborate network of one-way valves normally prevent venous reflux into the lower extremity which can result in venous hypertension. Incompetence of this valvular system secondary to either dilatation (varicosity) or to previous deep vein thrombosis allows gravity to act on a longer column of fluid. The basic laws of physics predict an increase in venous pressure the longer the column of fluid becomes (the more valves impaired).