Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 25, 2026

Occlusion of the Great and Small Saphenous Vein Using Copolymeric Glue Based on N-Butyl Cyanoacrylate and Methacryloxy Sulfolane
Published on: December 9, 2022
Physiologic similarities between extremities with varicose veins and with chronic venous insufficiency utilizing air
P R Cordts1, C Hartono, W W LaMorte
1Section of Vascular Surgery, Boston University Medical Center, Massachusetts 02118.
Abstract:
Air plethysmography (APG) was used to measure maximal venous outflow rate (MVO), a test for proximal venous obstruction; venous volume; venous filling index, an estimate of valvular incompetence; ejection fraction (EF), a test of calf-muscle pump efficiency; and residual volume fraction (RVF), an estimate of ambulatory venous pressure. MVO was lower in patients with chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) than in those with varicose veins (VV), but the difference was small (p = 0.06). RVF was significantly greater in extremities with CVI when compared with those with VV (p less than 0.01). However, the degree of abnormality in venous volume, venous filling index, and EF was similar in CVI and VV extremities. In summary, although RVF tends to be higher in extremities with CVI when compared with those with VV, there is tremendous overlap between VV and CVI for each of the hemodynamic variables measured by APG. Therefore, the pathophysiology of CVI is likely to involve not only hemodynamic abnormalities but also other factors that have not yet been clearly identified.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Venous Return
What is Venous Return?
Venous return refers to the rate at which blood flows back to the heart from the body's peripheral veins. It's an integral part of the circulatory system as it...
Assessment of the Cardiovascular System III: Palpation
Jugular Venous Pressure (JVP) Measurement
Position the patient at a thirty- to forty-five-degree angle or in a semi-fowler's position. Look for the highest point of pulsation in the internal jugular vein and measure the vertical distance to the angle of Loius or sternal angle. A normal JVP is 3-4 cm above the...
Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation
Varicose Veins I: Introduction
Varicose Veins II: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care
Venous Thrombosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

