Abstract
Because many subjects could not stand with their weight on the opposite leg with ease, we use a box under the opposite leg in the standing position to evaluate lower extremity venous function using air plethysmography. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the lower extremity venous function of limbs with primary varicose veins and deep venous thrombosis and to compare them with those of normal limbs using air plethysmography by our techinique.
Twenty normal limbs of 12 healthy volunteers, forty-two limbs of 29 patients with primary varicose veins (PVV) and nineteen limbs of 15 patients with deep venous thrombosis (DVT) were evaluated by our techinique using air plethysmography.
The values obtained by air plethysmography were outflow fraction (OF), venous volume (VV), venous filling index (VFI), ejection fraction (EF) and residual volume fraction (RVF).
The values of OF and VV of PVV were significantly higher than those of normal limbs and DVT. The values of VFI of PVV and DVT were significantly higher than those of normal limbs, and the values of VFI of PVV were higher than those of DVT. The values of EF of PVV and DVT were significantly lower than those of normal limbs, and the values of EF of DVT were significantly lower than those of PVV. The values of RVF of PVV were significantly lower than those of normal limbs and DVT.
The air plethysmography is a useful noninvasive method to evaluate lower extremity venous function. However, it is necessary to consider the phase of the desease and location of obstruction to evaluate DVT.
