Suppressed networks of inflammatory mediators characterize chronic venous insufficiency

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) affects 25 million adults in the United States. Whereas most patients present with relatively benign varicose veins, 2 to 6 million people are affected by severe disease associated with ulceration. Relatively little emphasis has been placed on systemic inflammatory changes associated with CVI, particularly in states in which tissue loss is not a feature. We demonstrate that patients with CVI without tissue loss demonstrate significant differences in inflammatory mediator networks compared with control subjects. Specifically and somewhat surprisingly, inflammatory networks in patients are less robust than in controls and may signify a dysregulated state in venous hypertension.