[The role of changes in venous capacity in the lower extremities in the pathogenesis of post-thrombotic disease].

From the results of examination of 91 patients with postthrombotic disease by radioindication methods the authors established that blood filling of the lower limbs increases in a horizontal position. Varicosity leads to further growth of regional blood volumes (RBV). No essential difference was revealed in blood filling in the recanalized and mixed forms of the postthrombotic disease. The increase of blood volume as compared to the initial value in these patients in an orthostatic position is below normal. Storage of blood in the lower limbs causes increase of the circulating volume (CV) at first, but after 5 years of the disease it leads to gradual reduction of the CV and increase of RBV. Excessive blood filling in the postthrombotic disease causes diminution of the resilient-elastic properties of the vein, makes the work of the muscular-venous pump of the leg difficult, and leads to microcirculatory disorders. Combined treatment for the purpose of removing the principal links of the pathogenesis is suggested.