Chronic venous insufficiency after COVID-19: management of edema and pain syndromes

Abstract

Introduction. COVID-19 infection raises many questions regarding the health condition of patients after they have had COVID-19. The aim of this study is to examine the characteristic symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency in the postcovid period.Materials and methods. The materials that were used for work included the results of studying the medical aid appealability, characteristic symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency in persons who have had the coronavirus infection. 47 patients presented with complaints about deterioration of their condition after they had had COVID-19 over March to September 2021 period. Methods: general clinical examiniation, ultrasound angioscanning of veins of the lower extremities, laboratory coagulation tests.Results and discussion. Before deterioration, calf circumference was measured 22–24 cm at a typical measurement site in most patients (89%), after covid infection it reached 26–27 cm. Varicose veins remained soft, without intravascular formations, edema was often bilateral, asymmetric, pain was described as constant (5–6 VAS scores), patients had prominent signs of lymphostasis. 35 out of 47 people received diosmin-based venotonic drug of Russian manufacture at a dose of 1000 mg/day (one tablet twice a day), the course of treatment lasted one to two months. After that period, the edema subsided in 85% of patients, the severity of pain syndrome significantly reduced (up to 2–3 VAS scores). With regard to chronic venous insufficiency in patients with chronic diseases of lower extremity veins (mostly varicose and post-thrombotic diseases), the significant progress of disease was observed in almost 94% of follow-up cases. Diosmin is the main drug that is prescribed to treat chronic venous insufficiency. The drug has an angioprotective and venotonic effect, reduces the vein wall elasticity, increases venous tone, and decreases venous stasis, reduces capillary permeability and fragility, and increases their resistance, improves microcirculation and lymphatic drainage.Сonclusions. In the postcovid period, clinical symptoms of some chronic diseases occur/worsen, including clinical manifestations of chronic venous insufficiency. The use of Russian diosmin-based drug for the management of edema and pain syndrome is very promising.