[Drug therapy of venous insufficiency]

Venous pharmacotherapy is a subject which, up to now, has not been submitted to rigorous scientific investigation as we currently lack in vivo observation methods. We can oppose direct actions stemming from sympathic stimulation and tissular mediators to the indirect actions of the substances which affect the arteriolar circulation or arterio-venous anastomoses. Anthocyanosides are amongst the most important of all the drugs acting on the permeability of the membrane. Dihydroergotamine, which has revived old controversies about the vegetative innervation of vein walls, has proved to have an increasing effect on venous pressure in clinostatism. We have ourselves witnessed this venotonic action of subjects in the supine position. In an upright position there have not been any reactions of hypertension, perhaps because of the hypertonic effect obtained naturally from the bard receptors which prevail on the pharmacological effect.