Impaired microvascular endothelial function is restored by acute lower-limb exercise in post-surgical varicose vein patients

Evidence exists that cutaneous microvascular endothelial dysfunction persists in patients following varicose vein surgery. This study compared cutaneous microvascular function between post-surgical varicose vein patients and healthy controls and investigated whether any impairment of function can be attenuated by acute lower-limb exercise. Cutaneous flux responses of the gaiter area were measured in supine and standing positions before and after a 25-min walk using laser Doppler fluximetry and incremental-dose administration of acetylcholine (ACh) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP). The pre-exercise peak responses to ACh (standing) were lower in patients than controls (48 ± 11 vs. 96 ± 28 PU; P = 0.032), whereas treadmill exercise abolished this difference (P = 0.819). In contrast, the pre-exercise responses to SNP (standing) appeared higher in patients than controls (3 mC responses: 24 ± 4 vs. 10 ± 2 PU, respectively; P = 0.023), with no effect of acute exercise (P > 0.05). These findings suggest that acute treadmill exercise augments microvascular endothelial function in post-surgical varicose vein patients to levels observed in age-matched controls.