Prognosis
Physicians should note, and the patient should be reassured, that CVI is not limb threatening and differs from the circulatory disorders of diabetes and peripheral arterial occlusive disease. Patients with severe CVI (CEAP C4-6) or previous ulcers generally require lifelong graded compression stockings of at least 30-40 mmHg. Adherence with compression therapy markedly reduces, but does not eliminate, long-term sequelae. The recurrence of venous leg ulcers in patients adherent with stocking use is half that in those who are nonadherent, and nonadherence is the primary cause of compression therapy failure.[22]
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