In recent years, there have been rheological abnormalities reported in chro
nic venous insufficiency (CVI), mainly an increase of erythrocyte aggregabi
lity (EA), which probably take part in the pathophysiology of the disease.
The aim of this study was to analyze the hemorheological profile after stri
pping in 45 patients suffering from CVI. Follow-up included laboratory test
s on the 7th, 60th and 180th day after surgery. EA was assessed with a phot
ometric aggregometer (MA1, Myrenne) in stasis and low shear (3 s(-1)). The
results show an increase of EA on the 7th day after surgery (p < 0.001). Tw
o and 6 months later, EA values returned to those found prior to surgery. T
he plasma fibrinogen level changes in a way parallel to EA. The association
between rheological disturbances and thrombogenesis is well known, so the
hyperaggregability found supports the antithrombotic prophylaxis in the ear
ly postsurgical period. On the other hand, the hemorheological abnormalitie
s persist after stripping, so postsurgical treatment to inhibit EA may be b
eneficial. Copyright (C) 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel.