Chronic deep venous obstruction is likely to increase which of the following?

Chronic deep venous obstruction can lead to increased ambulatory venous pressure primarily because the flow of blood back to the heart is impeded. In a healthy venous system, blood is returned to the heart effectively, maintaining a relatively low pressure. However, when there is chronic obstruction, blood can pool in the veins, particularly when a person is standing or walking—conditions under which venous return typically occurs.

As the venous return is compromised, pressure within the veins rises, especially during ambulation as muscles contract and try to push blood upward against the increased resistance. This results in elevated ambulatory venous pressure, which can contribute to further vascular complications, including venous hypertension, varicosities, and possibly ulceration due to stagnation of blood flow.

The other choices do not relate directly to the process described. Venous return pressure would not typically increase under chronic obstruction since the resistance primarily affects venous flow dynamics. Arterial pressure is largely unaffected by venous obstruction and resides in a different segment of the circulatory system. Although pulmonary blood pressure can be influenced by various conditions, it generally does not rise directly from issues within the deep venous system alone, thus making it an inappropriate choice in reference to the effects of