Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 23, 2026

A Multicenter MRI Protocol for the Evaluation and Quantification of Deep Vein Thrombosis
10:26

A Multicenter MRI Protocol for the Evaluation and Quantification of Deep Vein Thrombosis

Published on: June 2, 2015

Concomitant evaluation of flow-mediated vasodilation and epicardial fat thickness in idiopathic deep venous

G Mazzoccoli1, M P Dagostino, A Fontana

  • 1Department of Medical Sciences, Division of Internal Medicine, IRCCS Scientific Institute and Regional General Hospital Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy. g.mazzoccoli@operapadrepio.it

Journal of Biological Regulators and Homeostatic Agents
|April 6, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is linked to impaired arterial endothelial function and increased epicardial fat. These findings suggest DVT patients may have higher cardiovascular and metabolic risks.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Vascular Biology
  • Metabolic Syndrome

Background:

  • Flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) assesses endothelium-dependent vasodilation, a marker of arterial endothelial dysfunction linked to coronary artery disease.
  • Epicardial fat (EF) thickness, measured via echocardiography, is a reliable indicator of visceral adiposity and cardiovascular risk.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between FMD and deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
  • To examine the relationship between EF thickness and DVT.
  • To explore potential links between DVT, endothelial dysfunction, and cardiometabolic risk factors.

Main Methods:

  • Echocardiographic measurement of EF thickness and FMD in 77 subjects (39 with idiopathic DVT, 38 without).
  • Multivariate logistic regression analysis adjusting for covariates: FMD, EF, age, sex, smoking, and obesity.

Main Results:

  • Subjects with DVT exhibited significantly higher EF thickness (12.32 ± 1.73 mm) compared to those without (9.07 ± 1.89 mm, p=0.005).
  • Subjects with DVT showed borderline-significantly lower FMD values (7.47 ± 5.37%) than those without (9.01 ± 2.77%, p=0.058).

Conclusions:

  • Spontaneous deep vein thrombosis is associated with impaired endothelium-dependent vasodilation, indicating arterial endothelial dysfunction.
  • Increased epicardial adipose tissue in DVT patients suggests a heightened cardiometabolic risk profile.

More Related Videos

Ultrasound Assessment of Endothelial-Dependent Flow-Mediated Vasodilation of the Brachial Artery in Clinical Research08:42

Ultrasound Assessment of Endothelial-Dependent Flow-Mediated Vasodilation of the Brachial Artery in Clinical Research

Published on: October 22, 2014

Ultrasound Assessment of Endothelial Function: A Technical Guideline of the Flow-mediated Dilation Test06:35

Ultrasound Assessment of Endothelial Function: A Technical Guideline of the Flow-mediated Dilation Test

Published on: April 27, 2016

Related Concept Videos

Venous Thrombosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies01:20

Venous Thrombosis II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

The key difference between Superficial Vein Thrombosis (SVT) and Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) lies in their location and severity.Clinical ManifestationsSVT typically presents with localized pain, tenderness, and redness along the course of a superficial vein, often accompanied by a palpable, cord-like structure under the skin. This condition is usually less dangerous than DVT but can be uncomfortable and may lead to complications such as cellulitis or, rarely, a clot extension into the deep...
Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation01:21

Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation

Clinical manifestationsPeripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) manifests through a range of symptoms, from the characteristic intermittent claudication to atypical presentations and severe complications in advanced stages. Intermittent claudication, a hallmark symptom of PAD, presents as exercise-induced muscle pain that typically resolves within minutes of rest. This pain is reproducible and stems from inadequate blood flow, leading to the accumulation of lactic acid produced during anaerobic...
Assessment of the Cardiovascular System III: Palpation01:27

Assessment of the Cardiovascular System III: Palpation

Palpation involves feeling the body to evaluate texture, size, consistency, and tenderness for assessing cardiovascular health. The following steps are organized in a head-to-toe order:
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...
Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care01:29

Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care

Venous thrombosis requires effective prevention and treatment strategies to improve patient outcomes and reduce potential complications.Prevention StrategiesHealthcare providers must prioritize preventing venous thromboembolism (VTE) for all adult patients upon admission. Interventions depend on bleeding and thrombosis risk, medical history, current medications, diagnoses, planned procedures, and patient preferences. Patients on bed rest should change positions every two hours and, if not...