title: Biomarkers of low-grade inflammation in primary varicose veins of the lower limbs.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze serum biomarkers of CVD in selected patients with primary axial reflux of great saphenous vein in one or both lower limbs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety-six patients affected by uncomplicated varicose veins, were enrolled in the study. A unilateral, primary axial reflux in great saphenous veins was detected in 54 patients (U-CVD group) and a bilateral one in 42 (B-CVD group). Sixty-five age and sex-matched subjects without venous reflux were enrolled as controls. Mean venous pressure of both lower limbs at the distal great saphenous vein (mGSVP) and venous reflux were measured by continuous-wave Doppler ultrasound and echoduplex scanning, respectively. Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), tissue Plasminogen Activator (t-PA) and its Inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) activities, Hematocrit (HTC), White Blood Cells (WBC), Neutrophyls (NEU), Platelets (PLT), Fibrinogen (FIB) and Blood Viscosity (BV) were assessed in blood samples drawn from the antecubital vein.
  
  
  RESULTS
  B-CVD group showed higher fibrinogen values (p < 0.005) and higher mean venous pressure (0 < 0.0001) in comparison to controls, while U-CVD did not. No difference was found between both groups and controls for all the other parameters.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Increased fibrinogen levels in patients with bilateral varicose veins may represent an early warning signal, as it could be associated to the long-term progression of chronic venous disease.
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine and Angiology, School of Medicine, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy. francesca.ponziani@yahoo.it.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Flore
authors.forename: F R
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Ponziani
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gerardino
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Santoliquido
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Di Giorgio
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lupascu
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nesci
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tondi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002908:Chronic Disease; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D018616:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers