Análisis histológico de la pared de la vena sana y varicosa y su correlación con sus propiedades biomecánicas

Zusammenfassung

Purpose: Varicose veins are a very common disease, whose pathogeny still remains unclear. Changes in the varicose vein wall in relation to the normal vein, determine its biomechanical behaviour and the appearance of varicose veins. The purpose of this study is to correlate structural and biomechanical properties of healthy and varicose veins, and its contribution to the appearance of varicose veins. Methods: A descriptive study was performed. 10 samples were taken from patients who underwent varicose vein surgery, which consisted in crosectomy of the safeno-femoral junction, and 4 samples of healthy vein from patients who underwent major amputation after dismissing those with signs or symptoms of venous disease. Results: Histological changes have been observed in the varicose vein wall in relation to the healthy vein, consisting in intimal and media thickening, increased amount of collagen fibres, decrease of elastic fibres, and lack of characteristic morphology and orientation in muscular cells. In addition, a lower strain and deformation rupture, and high stiffness has been observed in varicose veins. These changes contribute to varicose vein deformation, valvular incompetence and the appearance of varicose veins. Conclusion: Histological changes in varicose veins correlate with biomechanical properties and pathogenic process leading to varicose veins appearance.