Myopathy and venous insufficiency

Eighty patients with severe venous insufficiency, documented by history, physical examination, venography, and venous pressures, underwent gastrocnemius muscle biopsy. Muscle specimens were analysed histologically and histochemically in order to define the nature of pathological muscle changes which occur in patients with long-standing venous insufficiency. For comparison, muscle specimens from unaffected extremities were analysed. Histological analysis of muscle specimens from affected limbs showed a variety of muscle changes, including type II fibre atrophy, muscle necrosis and regeneration, and denervation atrophy. Histochemical analysis using ³¹P nuclear magnetic resonance revealed depletion of muscle energy stores, including creatine phosphate, ATP, and ADP.