Lowered peripheral resistance in arteries of legs with venous ulcer

In the literature there is disagreement concerning the existence of arteriovenous shunting in legs with venous ulcer(s). The aim of this study was to find out if there are differences in resistance in the arteries of ulcer legs and non-ulcer legs and if it is possible to investigate this with a non-invasive Doppler method. Eleven patients, aged 34-87 years, with venous ulcer only in one leg, were investigated using angiography and duplex scanning. Angiography showed premature venous filling and Doppler examination showed lowered peripheral resistance in the arteries of every ulcer leg. Lowered peripheral resistance was found only in one non-ulcer leg, which, however also had signs of venous stasis. Our results clearly show that there is lowered peripheral resistance in arteries of legs with venous stasis. The possible significance of this phenomenon in the pathogenesis of venous leg ulcer is discussed.