PLASMA ELASTASE IN VENOUS DISEASE

The plasma elastase level was measured as a marker of neutrophil degranulation in three groups, each of 15 patients, with uncomplicated varicose veins, lipodermatosclerosis (LDS) and venous ulceration. The values obtained were compared with those in age- and sex-matched control subjects. Significantly higher levels of elastase were found in all patient groups compared with controls: median 25.6 ng/ml for patients with uncomplicated varicose veins, 22.1 ng/ml for those with LDS, 26.0 ng/ml for those with venous ulceration. There was no difference in neutrophil count between the patient and control groups. These results provide evidence of increased neutrophil degranulation in patients with venous disease. The finding of raised elastase levels in all three patient groups shows that this was not due solely to the inflammatory process characterizing LDS and venous ulceration.