Micronized purified flavonoid fraction and the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency: microcirculatory mechanisms.

The standard treatments for venous diseases of the lower limb include compression bandaging and stockings as well as surgical removal of varicose veins. There is a number of conditions in which these conventional treatments are ineffective, particularly in the management of leg ulceration. Drug treatments for healing venous leg ulcers have yet to be developed to the stage of good clinical efficacy, but may assist in the management of patients. Flavonoid drugs have been widely used in the management of the symptoms of venous disease for many years and have recently been studied in some detail to assess their effects on the microcirculation. Work in animal models of ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) show that micronized purified flavonoid fraction (MPFF) modulates leukocyte adhesion and prevents endothelial damage. Similar biochemical effects have been observed in patients with venous disease and may explain the efficacy of this drug in the management of edema and other symptoms of venous disease. There is some evidence that MPFF promotes venous leg ulcer healing.