Pathophysiology of venous ulceration.

Our understanding of the pathophysiologic process of venous ulceration has dramatically increased during the past two decades because of dedicated, venous-specific basic science research. Currently, the mechanisms regulating venous ulceration are a combination of macroscopic and microscopic pathologic processes. Macroscopic alterations refer to pathologic processes related to varicose vein formation, vein wall architecture, and cellular abnormalities that impair venous function.