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Acta Phlebologica 2015 August;16(2):69-76

Copyright © 2015 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

The endothelial dysfunction in chronic venous disease: a systematic review

De Franciscis S. ^{1, 2}, Butrico L. ², Settimio U. F. ², Grande R. ², Serra R. ^{1, 2}

¹ Interuniversity Center of Phlebolymphology (CIFL), International Research and Educational Program in Clinical and Experimental Biotechnology, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy; ² Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy

Normal endothelial function maintains vascular homeostasis. Evidences have shown that inflammation, Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and glycocalix disfunction may be pivotal factors that lead to endothelial dysfunction, both on arterial and venous disease including chronic venous disease (CVD). PubMed and ScienceDirect databases were searched for relevant articles on these issues. This study performed a systematic analysis of the most recent scientific literature on the structure of the vascular venous endothelium and the pathophysiological processes which determine the alteration of endothelial function in CVD. An updated insight into the world of venous endothelial dysfunction might help physicians in better evaluating pathophysiological mechanisms of endothelial damage and in programming appropriate interventions to modify it.