University of Freiburg, Bad Krozingen, Germany
  

Bathing in carbondioxide contenting mineral-thermal-Water of 36C improves venous hemodynamics patients with venous insufficiency

Hartmann B., Drews B., Hartmann-Unger M.

Introduction

In France and in the southern parts of Germany as well a sin Switzerland, patients with venous diseases report on positive effects of warm thermal-bathes in venous insufficiency.

Uncontrolled studies of Garreau and Hille confirm these effects, The evidence-based medicine requires verification or falsification by controlled studies.

Objective

Determination of the acute effect of carbon dioxide containing mineral thermal baths with36C (temperature over thermo neutrally and therefore negative for the venous function) on patients with venous disease.

Subjects

30 patients with venous insufficiency in stage II. according to Widmer (Basle study), 15 with varicose veins, 15 with postthrombotic syndrome.

Design

Randomized bathing or control period in air (26C, 65% rel. humidity) intraindividual study with cross over. Measurements under strongly standardized conditions with infared plethysmography and mercuy-in-rubber strain gauge plethysmography.

Results

No change of the venous capacity or refilling time after the control period in air, A marked (p < 0.01, Wilcoxon) improvement of venous capacity and prolongation of refill-time after the thermal water immersion compared with the preimmersion values.

Conclusion

Carbon dioxide containing mineral thermal bats of 36C are not harmful to patients with venous diseases.