Is arteriovenous shunting involved in the development of varicosities? A study of the intraluminal pressure and oxygen content in varicose veins.

OBJECTIVES: Arteriovenous (AV) shunting has been postulated as the underlying cause of varicose veins. The aim of this study was to analyse pressure and oxygen content in primary varicose veins in order to determine evidence of arterial shunting. METHODS: Thirty-nine patients with varicose veins un...

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Main Authors: Murphy, M, Hands, L
Format: Journal article
Language:English
Published: 2008
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author Murphy, M
Hands, L
author_facet Murphy, M
Hands, L
author_sort Murphy, M
collection OXFORD
description OBJECTIVES: Arteriovenous (AV) shunting has been postulated as the underlying cause of varicose veins. The aim of this study was to analyse pressure and oxygen content in primary varicose veins in order to determine evidence of arterial shunting. METHODS: Thirty-nine patients with varicose veins underwent cannulation of varicosities. The pressure and the blood oxygen content within varicosities were measured in different positions and during exercise. Similar measurements were made in the long saphenous veins of 10 control subjects without venous disease. RESULTS: Mean pressure in varicose veins in the supine position was 12.3 mmHg (Standard deviation [SD] 3.6 mmHg). Control subjects had similar pressures measured in the long saphenous vein. No pulsatile pressure tracings were obtained. Varicosity pressures in the erect position averaged 66 mmHg (SD 9 mmHg). In all cases, the pressure correlated with the distance of the varicosity from the heart. Pressure reduction in varicosities after exercise was significantly less than that in control subjects. Recovery time (RT 90) was also significantly shorter than in the control group. Mean venous pO2 in varicosities was 4.5 kPa (SD 1.0) in the supine position dropping to 3.9 kPa (SD 0.9) on standing; these values were not significantly different to samples from control subjects. CONCLUSIONS: AV shunting is unlikely to be a causative factor in the development of primary varicose veins.
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spelling oxford-uuid:03eb8689-c7c8-40f7-9215-ed8506a18a4c2022-03-26T08:48:59ZIs arteriovenous shunting involved in the development of varicosities? A study of the intraluminal pressure and oxygen content in varicose veins.Journal articlehttp://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_dcae04bcuuid:03eb8689-c7c8-40f7-9215-ed8506a18a4cEnglishSymplectic Elements at Oxford2008Murphy, MHands, L OBJECTIVES: Arteriovenous (AV) shunting has been postulated as the underlying cause of varicose veins. The aim of this study was to analyse pressure and oxygen content in primary varicose veins in order to determine evidence of arterial shunting. METHODS: Thirty-nine patients with varicose veins underwent cannulation of varicosities. The pressure and the blood oxygen content within varicosities were measured in different positions and during exercise. Similar measurements were made in the long saphenous veins of 10 control subjects without venous disease. RESULTS: Mean pressure in varicose veins in the supine position was 12.3 mmHg (Standard deviation [SD] 3.6 mmHg). Control subjects had similar pressures measured in the long saphenous vein. No pulsatile pressure tracings were obtained. Varicosity pressures in the erect position averaged 66 mmHg (SD 9 mmHg). In all cases, the pressure correlated with the distance of the varicosity from the heart. Pressure reduction in varicosities after exercise was significantly less than that in control subjects. Recovery time (RT 90) was also significantly shorter than in the control group. Mean venous pO2 in varicosities was 4.5 kPa (SD 1.0) in the supine position dropping to 3.9 kPa (SD 0.9) on standing; these values were not significantly different to samples from control subjects. CONCLUSIONS: AV shunting is unlikely to be a causative factor in the development of primary varicose veins.
spellingShingle Murphy, M
Hands, L
Is arteriovenous shunting involved in the development of varicosities? A study of the intraluminal pressure and oxygen content in varicose veins.
title Is arteriovenous shunting involved in the development of varicosities? A study of the intraluminal pressure and oxygen content in varicose veins.
title_full Is arteriovenous shunting involved in the development of varicosities? A study of the intraluminal pressure and oxygen content in varicose veins.
title_fullStr Is arteriovenous shunting involved in the development of varicosities? A study of the intraluminal pressure and oxygen content in varicose veins.
title_full_unstemmed Is arteriovenous shunting involved in the development of varicosities? A study of the intraluminal pressure and oxygen content in varicose veins.
title_short Is arteriovenous shunting involved in the development of varicosities? A study of the intraluminal pressure and oxygen content in varicose veins.
title_sort is arteriovenous shunting involved in the development of varicosities a study of the intraluminal pressure and oxygen content in varicose veins
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