Prominent abdominal veins

Prominent abdominal veins

by TAC - 2022-01-24 11:27:38

Prominent abdominal veins are called abdominal varices and they occur when there is vena cava hypertension. The most common cause is liver cirrhosis. The sonography has ruled out a blood clot. However, you will need other studies to look for liver pathology. I'm sure your doctor will do that. I don't believe that abdominal varices are related in any way with your PM. An abdominal aortic aneurysm is usually "silent", meaning they produce no symptoms. But this can be ruled out with an angiography of the abdominal aorta. An MRI of the abdomen would be nice to have. However, because you have a pacemaker, it might not be ordered so easily.

Collateral Circulation ?

by Gemita - 2022-01-24 12:38:34

Hello Natasha,

I wouldn’t be so fast to assume that your prominent abdominal veins have absolutely nothing to do with your pacemaker implant or any trauma that might have occurred during the procedure.  I am assuming your doctors are no longer actively looking for a problem, so that would be reassuring but if you are worried or having any symptoms, like pain, I would go back.  I note these prominent veins are running up towards the middle of your chest too.

I see your pacemaker was implanted in 2016.  Sonography clearly looked at your inferior vena cava and subclavian area presumably because they felt the answer could well lie there due to your implanted device and leads.  Even though there are no obvious signs of a blockage in the veins imaged, your prominent abdominal veins could still well be the result of an initial trauma of a vein during pacemaker/lead implant.  I wonder if the prominent abdominal veins could be collateral circulation which has developed as a result of an initial injury?  Without the development of these collateral veins, you could well have been in worse trouble.

My pacemaker was implanted in 2018 (dual chamber like yourself).  After a couple of years, I developed large purple veins around my device, going into left armpit, down into left breast and elsewhere.  I also had extensive testing for a blockage, and like you, my veins were clear at the time of imaging.  However, my doctors explained that my prominent purple veins were indeed collateral circulation which developed to keep my blood flowing.  Before collateral vein formation I had pain going right across my collarbone. I am taking an anticoagulant for atrial fibrillation and this has obviously helped to keep things moving.  Are you by chance on any anticoagulation, or perhaps you don’t need it?

May I ask if you are in any pain or have any other symptoms?  My ugly veins don’t bother me anymore because I am free from pain.  If you have any concerns or symptoms, I would go back to see your doctors.  I hope for the very best

Prominent abdominal veins

by Pacing1 - 2022-01-24 14:09:22

Thanks for the feedback @TAC & @GEMITA. 

I did my yearly checkup, Cardiologist did sonar and that's when they did sonar of IVC. I had to sniff while they checked. I then told him of my bulging veins in abdomen, so showed Dr when I stood up which he clearly saw and didn't seem happy. That's when he sent me to do the Sonography of the IVC and Subclavian area. 
Results were sent to my Cardiologist (but I know that no blockages were seen).  Cardiologist unfortunately has left for his annual holiday so not sure what he wants to do next when he returns and if he wants to send me for further tests. However I know there is something not 100% as I have never had something like this and my circulation is terrible. I don't have a bloated abdomen or am overweight in anyway. So it shows a lot easier over the abdomen area. It like I said is just above the belly coming from both sides (but not below my below at all) and join and go up to middle of chest. I do have a lot of spider veins in chest area, near Pm and breasts. But don't think anything serious of that. It's just those bulging veins. 
 

Appreciate the feedback. Take care of yourselves! 
 

Kind regards

Natasha