Leucocyte activity in chronic venous insufficiency.

Before and after venous stasis and upon recovery blood samples were drawn from the saphenous vein in 10 patients with varicose veins (Group 1), in 10 with venous hypertension (Group 2) and in 10 healthy controls. The total leucocyte count, the leucocyte filterability rate (LFR), superoxide dismutase blood concentrations (SOD) and the production of superoxide anions from granulocytes were determined. After stasis, the total leucocyte count increased significantly (p < 0.01) in both groups of patients and the LFR was significantly (p < 0.01) impaired. SOD blood concentrations fell significantly (p < 0.01) and oxygen free radical production dropped significantly (p < 0.01) in both groups. Upon recovery, all parameters returned to normal in Group 1 but significant differences remained in Group 2. No significant modification was observed at any stage of the study in the control group. These results suggest that impairments in leucocyte rheology and granulocyte production of oxygen free radicals cause capillary plugging and possibly damage to microcirculatory vessel walls in venous disease.