Stanozolol and the Treatment of Severe Chronic Venous Insufficiency

Abstract

A report on an analysis of an open (pilot) study is given for evaluating the effectiveness of stanozolol in the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). Twelve patients with CVI grade II–III according to Widmer were treated for 6 months with the modified anabolic steroid stanozolol. Evaluation of the influence of this drug on CVI was monitored with transcutaneous oxygen tension measurements (Tc Po2), light reflection rheography (LRR), histopathology and immunofluorescence techniques. After 3 and 6 months a statistically significant extension of the refilling time by LRR was observed. There is also a significant change in Tc Po2measurements at 3 months but not at 6 months. With immunofluorescence and peroxidase techniques, fibrinogen and collagen IV deposits are found in the majority of cases around the capillaries. It is postulated that these deposits play an important role in the pathogenesis of CVI. After treatment with stanozolol a significant reduction of the dermal space was observed in the lipodermatosclerotic plaque. It is concluded that in the treatment of CVI grade II–III stanozolol can be useful. A randomised double blind clinical trial is necessary to confirm this effectiveness.