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Predisposing factors

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Congenital:

  • absence of valves in the iliac veins
  • abnormal vein wall elasticity
  • arteriovenous fistulae e.g. Robertson's giant limb

Acquired:

  • obesity in women (but not in men)
  • prolonged standing
  • parity - women are affected six times more often than men, the majority of cases following a second or third pregnancy; important factors may include:
    • impaired venous return, due to pressure on the iliac veins from the pregnant uterus
    • high level of progesterone which alters collagen structure, sometimes irreversibly, and relaxes smooth muscle
  • previous deep vein thrombosis - valves damaged when the veins recanalise

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