Objective: To analyze variations in leukocyte count and thromboxane B2 production in the femoral vein of patients with chronic venous hypertension (CVH).
Design: Prospective clinical study, controlled, non randomized and open.
Location: Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, referral center, university hospital.
Participants: 15 patients with recurring stasis ulcer were analyzed, selected randomly from the venous diseases outpatient center, and 4 without lower limb venous alterations were also analyzed.
Intervention: Blood samples from the femoral and brachial veins were drawn following supine and 45 degrees reverse Trendelenburg.
Main outcomes measures: Direct leukocyte count and analysis of the thromboxane B2 with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay test.
Results: After 30 minutes in reverse Trendelenburg, patients with CVH showed a leukocyte count reduced by +/- 27% (p = 0.02) and thromboxane B2 levels increased by +/- 158% (p = 0.02).
Conclusions: We suggest that future studies of medications for stasis ulcers include their effects on leukocyte entrapment and thromboxane B2 production in the lower limb venous system.