Venodynamic and Hemorheological Variables in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus

The association between diabetes mellitus and the occurrence of peripheral vascular disease has been well established. However, it is unclear whether the venous circulation is also affected. This study was done to determine whether there is impairment of venous function in the legs of patients with diabetes mellitus and the relationship with rheological parameters. Venous occlusion plethysmography was used to assess venous circulation in the legs of 54 diabetic patients at the University Hospital of the West Indies. The venodynamic variables measured were segmental venous capacitance (SVC), maximum venous outflow (MVO), and venous emptying time (VET) at the calf, ankle and great-toe. Plasma fibrinogen concentration (PFC), relative plasma viscosity (RPV) and whole blood viscosity (WBV) were measured by standard techniques. Calf SVC was significantly less in neuropathic diabetic patients (ND) than in non-diabetic subjects (C) ( p