This review provides a comprehensive analysis of CVI’s systemic effects, emphasizing the need for integrated cardiovascular and venous management strategies to address the reciprocal influences of CVI and HF. Such an approach could reduce disease progression and enhance outcomes for affected patients.
Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is a prevalent disorder, arising from venous valve incompetence and vein wall weakness, which impairs blood return and leads to venous stasis and hypertension in the lower extremities. This condition, affecting upto 40% of older adults, has been primarily considered a peripheral issue. However, growing evidence indicates its systemicimpacts, notably its contribution to cardiovascular dysfunction and heart failure (HF). CVI exacerbates central venous pressure and cardiac preload, placing strain on the right heart and predisposing at-risk patients to HF. Moreover, a feedbackloop exists where HF worsens CVI through increased venous stasis and fluid overload, highlighting a complex bidirectionalrelationship. Emerging research reveals that CVI-driven inflammation and endothelial dysfunction may accelerate adversecardiac dysfunction. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of CVI’s systemic effects, emphasizing the need for integrated cardiovascular and venous management strategies to address the reciprocal influences of CVI and HF. Such an pproach could reduce disease progression and enhance outcomes for affected patients.