Related Experiment Videos
Impedance plethysmography and thrombo-embolic disease
D Glew1, T Cooper, A E Mitchelmore
1Department of Radiology, Southmead Hospital, Bristol, UK.
The British Journal of Radiology
|April 1, 1992
Summary
Impedance plethysmography accurately detects proximal deep vein thrombosis but struggles with isolated calf vein thrombosis. This non-invasive method may reduce the need for venography in certain deep vein thrombosis cases.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Medicine
- Diagnostic Imaging
- Thrombosis Research
Background:
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) are significant clinical concerns.
- Accurate diagnostic tools are crucial for timely and effective patient management.
- Non-invasive techniques are preferred for their safety and cost-effectiveness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the diagnostic performance of impedance plethysmography (IP) for deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
- To compare IP results with lower limb venography and ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) scans.
- To assess the utility of IP in suspected pulmonary embolism cases.
Main Methods:
- Impedance plethysmography was performed on 68 patients with suspected DVT.
- IP results were compared against lower limb venography.
- IP was also assessed in 125 patients with suspected PE, comparing with V/Q scans.
Main Results:
- For proximal DVT (popliteal or more proximal), IP demonstrated 100% sensitivity and 61% specificity.
- For DVT at any level, IP showed 90% sensitivity and 68% specificity, with lower sensitivity for isolated calf vein thrombosis (60%).
- IP is a non-invasive, portable, and low-cost diagnostic technique.
Conclusions:
- Impedance plethysmography is highly sensitive for detecting proximal DVT.
- Venography may be reserved for positive IP findings in centers treating proximal DVT differently.
- IP may aid in assessing patients with indeterminate V/Q scans for pulmonary embolism.