Oscillatory flow suppression improves inflammation in chronic venous disease.
To assess if suppression of the oscillatory component of reflux may improve the inflammatory phenotype in chronic venous disease (CVD).



From 193 CVD patients, we selected 54 (13 males, 41 females, CEAP C2-4EpAsPr) for a blinded, case-control prospective investigation. All of them underwent echo-color-Doppler assessment of reflux parameters. In the same patients a blood systemic assessment of 19 inflammatory cytokines was obtained. Follow-up lasted 6 months. The control group (C) was constituted by 21 homogenous CVD patients, unselected and not operated.



Thirty-one of 54 patients were excluded from post-operative evaluation in consequence of reported new other inflammatory episodes. Twenty-three (23) completed the follow up, showing the suppression of the oscillatory component of venous reflux; 4 of the 19 cytokines decreased significantly after the procedure: Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNFα), Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor (G-CSF), Interferon gamma-induced Protein 10 (IP-10), Interleukin-15 (IL-15). Particularly, TNFα and IP-10 even returned inside a physiological range: 5.3 ± 2.7 to 4.2 ± 2.2 pg/mL (P < 0.003) and from 303.7 ± 168.4 to 254.0 ± 151.6 pg/mL (P < 0.024), respectively. Both cytokines showed a weak but significant correlation with parameters of oscillatory flow correction. Finally, three cytokines implicated in repair and remodeling of tissue, Epidermal Growth Factor, Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 and Platelet Derived Growth Factor-BB (PDGF-BB), significantly increased. Our findings are further reinforced by the significant changes of the same cytokines when compared to C group.



The surgical suppression of the oscillatory component of reflux modulates the inflammatory phenotype, suggesting a pivotal role of flow among factors concurring to inflammation in CVD.
Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy; Vascular Disease Center, Unit of Translational Surgery, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy. Electronic address: paolozamboni@icloud.com.
Paolo
P
Zamboni
Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy; Vascular Disease Center, Unit of Translational Surgery, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
Paolo
P
Spath
Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
Veronica
V
Tisato
Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy; Vascular Disease Center, Unit of Translational Surgery, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
Mirko
M
Tessari
Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy; Vascular Disease Center, Unit of Translational Surgery, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
Patrizia
P
Dalla Caneva
Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy; Vascular Disease Center, Unit of Translational Surgery, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
Erica
E
Menegatti
Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy; Vascular Disease Center, Unit of Translational Surgery, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
Savino
S
Occhionorelli
Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy; Vascular Disease Center, Unit of Translational Surgery, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
Sergio
S
Gianesini
Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
Paola
P
Secchiero
D002908:Chronic Disease; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000097:blood / Q000601:surgery*
D016207:Cytokines
Chronic venous insufficiency; Cytokines; Endothelium; Hemodynamic surgery; Inflammation; Venous reflux