Vaskulárna medicína 4/2010

High blood pressure in the lower limbs venous system

The permanent increase in venous pressure when standing, and not corrected by orthodynamic movements, results in cascade effects which we are beginning to identify better. Prolonged orthostatic state (standing up, not moving leg muscles), and to a lesser extend prolonged sitting, contribute to the rise in venous pressure and damage to the vein wall. Conversely, lying down with the legs elevated has a beneficial effect and decrease venous pressure. The permanent rise in venous pressure in the vertical position due to reflux or obstruction and increased by failure of the muscle pump, has direct consequences on the microcirculation (leukocytes adhesion and trapping, increase capillary permeability, chronic inflammation). To clinical consequences of venous hypertension belong swelling in the leg (venous edema), trophic skin changes, and venous ulceration.

Keywords: increase in venous pressure, physiology of the lower limbs venous system, venous hypertension, chronic venous insufficiency