[Measurement of oxygen tension in normal and varicose vein walls]

Oxygen tension (PO2) was investigated in vivo in the long saphenous vein from 21 varicose patients (31 veins) during venous surgery and 7 patients with normal venous network undergoing popliteo-femoral by-pass. Measurement was achieved using computerized polarographic system Kimoc 6650 (Eppendorf, Hamburg) providing a microdriven stepwise progression of a needle probe. Oxygen tension profile was similar in both groups of patients. A slow PO2 decrease was observed from adventitia up to the union of the middle and inner thirds of the media where values were at the lowest then followed by a marked increased in the intima and the saphenous lumen. Oxygenation of the two external thirds of the venous wall was provided by vasa vasorum. The average minimum values in the media was significantly reduced in varicose veins compared to no-varicose veins (7,9 mmHg versus 13,4 mmHg; p < 0,05). These results indicated the key role of vasa vasorum flux in the long saphenous vein nutrition and suggest a primary or secondary deficiency in oxygen supply in varicose veins.