Sulodexide and the microcirculatory component in microphlebopathies

A double-blind, placebo-controlled study was carried out in 36 patients, aged 30 to 50 years, to evaluate the effectiveness of oral sulodexide in the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency due to idiopathic varices. Patients were allocated at random to receive either oral sulodexide as 2 capsules (each containing 250 lipoproteinolipase releasing units) twice daily or 2 identical placebo capsules twice daily over a period of 45 days. Using strain gauge plethysmographic data, assessments were made of the microcirculatory effects of treatment by calculating the coefficient of capillary filtration from measurements made on both legs of each patient on entry and after 30 and 45 days of treatment. The coefficient is derived from the transmembranous flow values at the occlusive pressures of 60 and 40 mmHg, the difference between the two occlusive pressures examined and a corrective factor to calculate the capillary pressure based on the pressure in the venous circulation. Statistical analysis of the results showed that sulodexide produced a significant mean reduction from baseline values of the coefficient at both the 30 and 45 day examinations whereas the coefficient increased in the placebo group. The difference between the two groups was also statistically significant. These findings suggest that sulodexide has a positive influence on capillary permeability.