From venous congestion to placental hypoxia: the underappreciated role of chronic venous disease in impaired placenta development and pregnancy health

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Source: Frontiers Medicine

Original: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmed.2026.1753334...

Published: 2026-02-05T00:00:00Z

Chronic venous disease (CVD) is a common vascular disease affecting mainly the lower limbs, which occurs with a higher incidence in women. Pregnant women represent a particularly high-risk population for CVD, and therefore early screening and assessment of disease severity during pregnancy is essential to prevent venous thromboembolism. Despite the high prevalence of CVD in pregnancy, this disease is often underestimated and doctors often manage it as a localized and benign condition. However, emerging evidence suggests that CVD may have broader systemic effects that can potentially compromise placental development and fetal well-being through changes in maternal, placental, and fetal circulation. However, the precise correlations between CVD and a spectrum of adverse pregnancy outcomes remain unclear. Standardized strategies for the management of CVD in pregnancy have not yet been established, so further research is needed to improve clinical awareness and understanding of this issue.