2001 Volume 12 Issue 4 Pages 327-333
The technique using air plethysmography presented by Christopoulos, et al.has been widely used to assess lower extremity venous function. Many subjects could not stand with their weight on the opposite leg with ease. We tried putting a box under the opposite leg in the standing position. The aim of this study was to compare our technique using a box with Christopoulosユ technique in assessing venous function using air plethysmography.
Thirty-four primary varicose limbs of 21 patients were studied by our technique and by Christopoulosユ technique using air plethysmography. Venous volume (VV), venous filling index, ejection fraction and residual volume fraction were 147.4ア39.1 ml, 5.67ア4.05 ml/sec, 42.2ア15.4% and 36.1ア16.0% by Christopoulosユtechnique, and 126.0ア37.8 ml, 5.71ア4.18 ml/sec, 37.8ア12.7% and 40.0ア21.4% by our technique, respectively. VV measured by our technique was significantly lower than Christopoulosユtechnique measurement (p<0.001). A close correlation of the parameters between our technique and that of Christopoulos existed except EF (r=0.383).
The results suggest that our technique is easier for patients than the conventional method.
