ADJUSTMENT OF THE FLOW OF TISSUE FLUID IN THE PRESENCE OF LOCALIZED, SUSTAINED HIGH VENOUS PRESSURE AS FOUND WITH VARICES OF THE GREAT SAPHENOUS SYSTEM DURING WALKING

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
A method is described for measuring in man the fluctuating venous pressure at the ankle during walking. Values obtained in normal individuals are compared with ones found in subjects with varices of the great saphenous system of veins. In this latter group a sustained pressure of 90 cm. H2O was present at the ankle even during walking. Since the colloid osmotic pressure of the blood is about 40 cm. H2O, this gives a positive filtration pressure of the order of 50 cm. H2O, yet gross edema was not present in the subjects studied. The normal reabsorption of tissue fluid at the venous end of the capillary as postulated and supported by many investigators is impossible here and all of the tissue fluid must be carried off by the lymphatics, since gross edema did not appear. Failure of this compensating mechanism may be responsible for some of the severe complications of varicose veins.