Left ventricular function in varicose veins

Left ventricular function (LVF) was evaluated noninvasively by recording systolic time intervals (STIs) in 25 patients suffering from varicose veins (VV) of lower limbs and compared with 25 age--sex matched controls. STI was measured from simultaneous recordings of electrocardiogram (ECG), carotid arterial pulse (CAP) and phonocardiogram (PCG). The left ventricular ejection time (LVET) was significantly shortened with marked increase in pre-ejection period (PEP) and increase in PEP/LVET ratio (P < 0.001) without any variation in electromechanical systoles (QS2) in VV patients compared to controls. These changes in STI suggest contractility of heart is adversely affected in VV patients.