PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF VARICOSE VEINS IN LOWER LIMB DURING PREGNANCY: A STUDY

Tanveer Akhtar and Israr Ul Khaliq*

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Why would varicose veins appear in your legs? Leg muscles help push the blood in the leg veins back toward the heart. There are also one way valves in the veins to make sure the blood does not flow backward and pool in the legs. Prevalence of varicose disease during pregnancy is high, affecting pregnant women considering all types of varicose disease. Primary varicose veins are a common problem of the lower extremities, whereas the upper extremities are rarely affected for reasons not entirely clear, seemingly, the cause of varicose vein is, collagen defects in the vein wall resulting in weakness and dilation. Undoubtedly patients with lower extremity varicosities should be at some risk for development of upper extremity varicosities. Aims and Objective: The objective of the study was to calculate approximately the involvement of pregnant women with varicose veins of lower extremities (VVLE) and the possible risk for adverse birth. The prevalence of lower limb varicose disease during pregnancy and to recognize the main related risk factors. The pathophysiology of varicose veins in lower limb during pregnancy is assessed in this study. Material and Method: We assessed 200 pregnant women during perinatal follow-up. The patients were at random selected during a 1year period. Results: Taking into consideration all types of varicose veins, prevalence of varicose disease was high. The main risk factors were family history and pregnant women's age. This high prevalence is mainly caused by the increase in the estrogen and progesterone levels during pregnancy. Conclusion: The high prevalence of varicose disease and the associated risk factors suggest the need of providing the health professionals involved in women's health care, especially during the fertile period, with information on this disease.

Keywords: Pregnancy, Varicose veins of lower extremities, Veins.