Calf muscle pump impairment and delayed healing of venous leg ulcers: Air plethysmographic findings

Abstract

There is a need for a diagnostic tool to predict clinical outcome of venous leg ulcer patients, as the prognosis of healing based on clinical data alone has not appeared to be satisfactory. Air plethysmographic assessment of calf muscle pump was performed in the supine and upright position in 129 patients with active ulcers on their legs. All patients were managed in a specialized leg ulcer clinic. Results of air plethysmography were compared to clinical data and time of healing of ulcers. Muscle pump failure was found in 42.6% of extremities (supine position, 33.3%; upright, 22.5%; both, 12.4%). Patients with insufficient pump were older, and their ulcers were larger. Failure of pump was found more often in patients who began the treatment after long, unsuccessful, non-specialized care. Healing time of ulcers was prolonged in cases with insufficient pump. Regarding the subgroups with good clinical prognosis (patients with small ulcers or with a short history of ulceration), it was found that insufficiency of muscle pump correlated with delayed healing. It could be summarized that venous leg ulcers associated with calf muscle failure were larger, long-standing, and that their healing even after specialized treatment was delayed. Impaired muscle pump function revealed in plethysmographic examination can be a prognostic factor of delayed healing of leg ulcer. Ulcers with poor prognosis according to plethysmographic findings, and no quick recovery after standard management, should be considered for advanced therapies.