Microcirculatory aspects of venous ulceration.

BACKGROUND

Articles were identified from a literature search based on Index Medicus from 1983 onwards with additional, as yet, unpublished data obtained directly from ongoing research at The Middlesex Hospital Vascular Laboratory. Original scientific articles were selected if they addressed the mechanisms causing venous ulceration in relation to the events in the microcirculation.

OBJECTIVE

To review the mechanisms proposed recently to explain the pathogenesis of venous ulceration.

RESULTS

Recent data suggest that there is a systemic inflammatory response associated with the presence of venous disease in the lower limb, as indicated by measuring plasma neutrophil elastase and lactoferrin. In volunteers without venous disease white cell activation may be produced by experimental venous hypertension lasting 30 minutes, produced by applying a venous tourniquet to the lower limb or by standing without moving for 30 minutes.

CONCLUSION

Inflammatory mechanisms play a significant role in the pathogenesis of venous disease but the exact mechanisms producing venous ulceration remain to be elucidated.