Varicose veins, venous leg ulcers and DVT

This course is divided into five detailed units, each covering essential aspects of chronic venous disease, venous leg ulcers, and deep vein thrombosis

Unit 1: Definitions and Epidemiology
The course begins with a review of definitions and epidemiology related to chronic venous disease (CVD), chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Participants will learn about the international classification systems such as CEAP, which categorize venous diseases from mild telangiectasia to severe venous ulceration. This unit also discusses the prevalence of CVD and DVT and provides insights into global statistics on the occurrence of these conditions​.

Unit 2: Risk Factors and Pathophysiology
This unit covers the risk factors and underlying mechanisms that contribute to CVD and DVT. It explores the genetic, environmental, and physiological factors that increase the likelihood of varicose veins and DVT, such as prolonged immobility, pregnancy, age, and obesity. The unit also explains the pathophysiological processes that lead to venous hypertension, venous reflux, and thrombus formation​.

Unit 3: Classification and Clinical Features
In this unit, the CEAP classification system is thoroughly explained, along with the clinical features of CVD and DVT. Participants will gain knowledge on how to assess and classify venous disorders based on symptoms like edema, varicose veins, and venous ulcers. The unit also covers differential diagnoses for venous and arterial ulcers and introduces practical tools such as the Venous Clinical Severity Score (VCSS) for monitoring disease progression​.

Unit 4: Diagnostic Tools
Unit 4 focuses on the diagnostic modalities used to detect CVD and DVT, such as duplex ultrasound, the gold standard for assessing venous reflux and thrombosis. The unit also discusses the use of the Wells score and D-dimer testing in evaluating the risk of DVT, as well as additional imaging techniques like CT venography and magnetic resonance venography for more complex cases.

Unit 5: Management
The final unit covers the treatment and management options for varicose veins, venous leg ulcers, and DVT. Participants will learn about compression therapies, sclerotherapy, endovenous ablation, and surgical options for severe cases. The unit also emphasises the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to managing venous leg ulcers and highlights best practices for anticoagulation in the treatment of DVT​.

This course equips participants with the knowledge to confidently diagnose, classify, and manage venous disorders in clinical practice.