Venous hypertension induces increased platelet reactivity and accumulation in patients with chronic venous insufficiency.

The objective of this study was to determine whether there are changes in platelet activation and rheology in patients with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) and what their impact is on this disease. Anticoagulated peripheral venous blood collected from 21 patients with CVI and 13 normal control subjects in different bodily positions was incubated either with 0.5 mumol/L adenosine diphosphate (ADP) or without agonist and analyzed by whole blood flow cytometry. Soluble P-selectin was analyzed in obtained sera by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Platelet count was determined by a whole blood analyzer. Circulating platelets were more reactive to stimulation with 0.5 mumol/L ADP in patients with CVI compared with control subjects. There was no statistically significant change in platelet activation without ADP and the level of soluble P-selectin as a function of posture. Under simulated venous hypertension, platelet accumulation was observed in patients with CVI. Patients with CVI had increased platelet reactivity and accumulation during orthostasis, suggesting this might be a contributory factor to CVI pathogenesis.