The Efficacy of Fibrinolytic Enhancement with Stanozolol in the Treatment of Venous Insufficiency

Abstract

Pericapillary fibrin cuffs have been demonstrated in patients with chronic venous insufficiency. It has been suggested that this fibrin deposition is responsible for an oxygen diffusion block, leading to local hypoxia and resulting in ulceration. Fibrinolysis is depressed in patients with venous insufficiency and therefore pharmacological enhancement of this factor might be expected to produce clinical improvement. A total of 60 patients with lipodermatosclerosis were entered into a prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial. Stanozolol 5 mg or a placebo tablet was given twice daily for a period of 6 months. All patients were supplied with below knee German/Swiss specification class 2 compression stockings. The area of lipodermatosclerosis was measured at monthly intervals and transcutaneous oxygen tension within the liposclerotic area was measured at 3-monthly intervals. The control group showed a mean reduction in area of lipodermatosclerosis of 14% (95% confidence interval −2.6%−31%) compared with a 28% reduction in area in the active treatment group (95% confidence interval 5.3%–46%; P < 0.007). Transcutaneous oxygen measurements showed no change in either group. Side-effects were significantly more common in the active treatment group ( P < 0.002 χ2). Though fibrinolytic enhancement caused a reduction in the area of lipodermatosclerosis, no evidence of any effect on a possible oxygen diffusion block was demonstrated.

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