OXYGEN-TENSION IN THE NORMAL AND VARICOSE -VEIN WALL

Oxygen tension (PO2) was investigated in vivo in the long saphenous ve in from 21 varicose patients (31 veins) during venous surgery and 7 pa tients with normal venous network undergoing popliteo-femoral by-pass. Measurement was achieved using computerized polarographic system Kimo c 6650 (Eppendorf, Hamburg) providing a microdriven stepwise progressi on of a needle probe. Oxygen tension profile was similar in both group s 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 wer e at the lowest then followed by a marked increased in the intima and the saphenous lumen. Oxygenation of the two external thirds of the ven ous wall was provided by vasa vasorum. The average minimum values in t he media was significantly reduced in varicose veins compared to no-va ricose veins (7,9 mmHg versus 13,4 mmHg; p < 0,05). These results indi cated the key role of vasa vasorum flux in the long saphenous vein nut rition and suggest a primary or secondary deficiency in oxygen supply in varicose veins.