Ourbody’s circulatory system is a complex network of blood vessels. If these vessels are diseased or damaged, this can cause the skin to break down or prevent an existing wound from healing.1
What causes arterial insufficiency?
Arterialinsufficiency is any condition that slows or stops the flow of blood through the arteries.2, 3 Patients who are at risk of developing arterial insufficiency often have the following conditions: 4, 1, 7, 5
Obesity and smoking
Hyperlipidaemia
Hypertension
Diabetes
Fact box: Did you know?
Studies indicate that 14-20% of the adult population will develop arterial disease in their lifetime.5
Venousinsufficiency is any condition that slows or stops the flow of blood through the veins. When this condition is chronic, it typically leads to lower extremity oedema and trophic skin changes.6 In the video below, you can see how venous insufficiency can lead to a leg ulcer.
This video shows how the slowing of the blood flow through the veins can lead to oedema, or excess fluid in the body. Oedema can lead to the skin breaking down and forming an ulcer.
Newton, H. (2011). Leg Ulcers: Differences Between Venous and Arterial. Wound Essentials, Volume 6, 20-28.
Agale, S. V. (2013). Chronic Leg Ulcers: Epidemiology, Aetiopathogenesis, and Management. Hindawi Publishing Corporation. 1-10
Medline Plus (2017). Arterial Insufficiency. National Institutes of Health / U.S. National Library of Medicine. (cited September 2019). Available from: //medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000725.htm
Diehm, C., Schuster, A., Allenberg, J.R. (2004). High Prevalence of Peripheral Arterial Disease and Co-Morbidity In 6880 Primary Care Patients: Cross-Sectional Study. Artheroclerosis; 172: 95-105
Waterloo Wellington Integrated Wound Care Program (2016). Evidence-Based Care for Arterial Leg Ulcers. Final May 5.
Patel, S. K., Surowiec, S. M. (2018). Venous Insufficiency. NCBI Bookshelf. StatPearls Publishing. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430975/
