Aging of human long saphenous vein. A light and scanning electron microscopy study

In order to evaluate the structural changes of the human long saphenous vein due to aging, human specimens taken at different levels from 36 long saphenous veins were studied by correlated light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. A continuous remodeling occurs in the human saphenous vein wall during the progression of life. Young subjects presented a thin intima surrounded by a media made of circularly-oriented muscular cells and a predominant elastic framework distributed in all the layers. A progressive increase in collagen content and longitudinal musculature accompanied by a reduction in elastic tissue characterized aging. In particular, the saphenous vein wall thickened mainly in its caudal portion due to an exuberant connective cell hyperplasia and deposit of extracellular matrix as well. These changes are likely related to the functional reaction of human saphenous vein wall to the changes of pressure in the leg related to posture associated with other structural and functional changes occurring in elderly subjects.