Venous function of the leg during atrial arrhythmias

Venous volume and venous outflow of the calf were studied with strain gauge plethysmography during atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter and after conversion to sinus rhythm in 28 patients. These parameters increased significantly after conversion to sinus rhythm and the increase was more pronounced in patients with organic heart disease compared to patients without. It is concluded that atrial arrhythmia is associated with an altered venous function, which may compensate for the fall in cardiac output induced by the arrhythmia and also may be a risk factor for deep vein thrombosis in patients with organic heart disease.