Anatomical Distribution of Chronic Venous Insufficiency in a Chinese Population

Objective: To study the anatomical distribution of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) in a Chinese population by means of duplex scanning. Procedures: A total of 582 limbs in 291 patients with primary venous insufficiency were classified clinically into three different groups according to SVS/ISCVS criteria and evaluated prospectively with duplex scanning. Results: One hundred and thirty-one limbs were classified into group I (CEAP clinical class 0), 291 into group II (CEAP clinical classes 1 and 2) and 160 into group III (CEAP clinical classes 3–6). Mixed deep and superficial venous incompetence was found in 70% and 83% of limbs in groups II and III, respectively. Reflux was also demonstrated in 73% of group I limbs. Conclusions: Most of our patients had mixed deep and superficial venous incompetence. The prevalence of deep venous incompetence in this population, in which deep vein thrombosis is rare, suggests a pattern of venous incompetence other than postphlebitic deep vein valvular dysfunction. The prevalence of reflux in the asymptomatic contralateral limbs implies a bilateral predisposition to venous reflux and thus a possible developmental origin of CVI.