Skin Flux and Histology in Venous Hypertension

Abstract

Skin blood flux and the venoarteriolar response have been studied by laser- Doppler flowmetry (LDF) in 20 postphlebitic limbs and in 20 normal limbs. Histology was also studied with punch biopsy specimens in postphlebitic limbs and in 4 randomly selected, normal volunteers. Skin flux was increased and the venoarteriolar response decreased in all postphlebitic limbs. Also in all patients an apparent increase in the number of capillaries was observed. They appeared dilated and tortuous, and the thick ened capillary wall was surrounded by a pericapillary halo composed of pro tein, neutral polysaccharides, hemosiderin, and fibrin. In conclusion, measurements with LDF differentiate between normal and postphlebitic limbs, corresponding to the histologic finding of an altered capil lary system. Therefore, LDF is useful for defining the degree of microan giopathy due to venous hypertension.