TREATMENT OF VENOUS INSUFFICIENCY EMERGING AFTER COVID-19 DISEASE

Abstract

COVID-19 disease caused by the virus called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a highly contagious disease leading to hyperinflammation. Lockdown measures implemented due to COVID-19 can lead to weakness in the calf muscles of the elderly individuals who stay at home for a long time and in those receiving COVID-19 treatment in intensive care unit. Thus, venous insufficiency may develop in these circumstances. It is important to treat these patients without delay, as it may prevent the progression to chronic venous insufficiency. Our study includes eight patients who were diagnosed with COVID-19 and were discharged after being treated in various centers, but later developed venous insufficiency. Two of the patients were women and six were men. Their ages ranged from 43 to 70, and the mean age was 56.87 ± 9.70 years. The main complaints of the patients were pain, swelling, itching, tingling, burning, edema, cramping, feeling of heaviness and discoloration in the legs. All patients were hypertensive and five patients were using tobacco products. In addition, two patients had diabetes and one patient had concomitant coronary artery disease. All patients had weak calf muscles and high D-dimer levels. Venous insufficiency was diagnosed because reflux was detected in the deep veins of both lower extremities in the color venous Doppler ultrasonographic examination of the patients. Considering that venous insufficiency may be seen after recovery in COVID-19 patients, intermittent control of these patients should be done after discharge. It is important to closely monitor patients who develop venous insufficiency after COVID-19 treatment, and to strengthen the weakened calf muscles with exercises in addition to medical treatment with venoactive drugs. Since venous insufficiency may regress as a result of the strengthening of calf muscles, it should not be rushed for invasive procedures.