Effect of elastic stockings on edema related to chronic venous insufficiency. Videocapillaroscopic assessment

AIM: To evaluate the effect of class II (23-32 mm Hg) compression stockings on the edema of the ankle in patients with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), and to assess the relationship between the microvascular phenomenon and the volume of the leg. MATERIAL AND METHOD: 11 patients (19 limbs, 5 women and 6 men, mean age 57 years) with CVI, CEAP 2-3 were studied through physical examination, Doppler color ultrasound test, measurement of leg volume and videocapillaroscopy. Patients were evaluated before (T0), after 7 days (T1) and 14 days (T2) of daily compression therapy with elastic stockings. Statistical comparisons used the Mac Nemar test for binomial variables and Wilcoxon test for paired quantitative data. RESULTS: All patients experienced significant improvement of symptoms, the volume of the limbs on the average decreased in the first week T0-T1=284.8 cm(3) +/- 307.5 cm(3) (6.27%, p<0.001). During the second week a small increase in volume was observed T2-T1=+ 12.23 cm(3), NS, 0.29%). The width of the capillary halo of edema decreased during the first week by an average of T0-T1=5.77 microm +/- 10.99 microm. During the second week the width of the edema halo continued diminishing, although in smaller proportion (T0-T2=7.89 microm +/- 11.77 microm). CONCLUSION: Daily use of grade II compression stockings induces a reduction in leg volume in patients with CEAP grades 2-3. This improvement of edema is paralleled by a decrease in the size of the pericapillary halo.