Primary varicosis - changes of the venous vessel wall and of the elastic properties

The aetiology of varicosis is still unclear Investigation of changes in nor mal veins which result in the formation of varicosis led to examination of elastic properties and histomorphological alterations in the region of the extracellular matrix in the vessel wall of the long saphenous vein in norma l and varicose veins. The rigidity of varicose veins was higher than that o f normal veins: there was no difference between the varicose vein above a c ompetent valve and the "normal" vein below this competent valve. The matrix proteins demonstrated an increase in total fibres, whereas the elastic fib res were reduced and fragmented, explained the rigidity of varices. These r esults suggest that the role of the venous valves in the development of var icose veins is secondary to changes of the vein wall.