Venous Leg Ulcer

Excerpt

Venous leg ulcers (VLUs) are late indicators of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) and venous hypertension. In normal conditions, calf muscle contraction and intraluminal valves promote prograde flow while preventing blood reflux. However, when retrograde flow, obstruction, or both exist, the resultant chronic venous hypertension is responsible for the dermatologic and vascular complications that culminate in the formation of a VLU.

VLUs are a costly medical problem with a high toll on worldwide healthcare systems. In the United States, the Medicare and commercial insurance annual cost for VLU patients ascends to $18,986 and $13,653, respectively. Together, these represent an annual burden of $14.9 billion for the United States payers, a considerable increase from a previous $1 billion estimate. The situation may worsen as the aging, obese, and sedentary population increases globally, with an expected incidence rise for CVI and VLUs. This problem demands a swift, coordinated, interdisciplinary call to action from all stakeholders.