Hemorheological profile in chronic venous insufficiency after surgery

In recent years, there have been rheological abnormalities reported in chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), mainly an increase of erythrocyte aggregability (EA), which probably take part in the pathophysiology of the disease. The aim of this study was to analyze the hemorheological profile after stripping in 45 patients suffering from CVI. Follow-up included laboratory tests on the 7th, 60th and 180th day after surgery. EA was assessed with a photometric aggregometer (MA1, Myrenne) in stasis and low shear (3 s(-1)). The results show an increase of EA on the 7th day after surgery (p<0.001). Two and 6 months later, EA values returned to those found prior to surgery. The plasma fibrinogen level changes in a way parallel to EA. The association between rheological disturbances and thrombogenesis is well known, so the hyperaggregability found supports the antithrombotic prophylaxis in the early postsurgical period. On the other hand, the hemorheological abnormalities persist after stripping, so postsurgical treatment to inhibit EA may be beneficial.