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[Intermittent venous claudication: a rarely diagnosed walking disability].
Schweizerische Medizinische Wochenschrift
|January 24, 1987
Summary
Intermittent venous claudication, often seen in young athletes after iliac vein thrombosis, is diagnosed using plethysmography. This method objectively measures leg volume changes during exercise to identify venous drainage abnormalities.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Medicine
- Diagnostic Imaging
- Exercise Physiology
Context:
- Intermittent venous claudication typically affects young, active individuals following iliac vein thrombosis.
- Understanding the pathophysiology of venous claudication is crucial for accurate diagnosis and management.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the utility of plethysmographic volume measurements during treadmill exercise for diagnosing intermittent venous claudication.
- To compare leg volume changes in healthy individuals versus patients with a history of iliac vein thrombosis.
Summary:
- Plethysmography was performed on 20 healthy volunteers and 4 patients with venous claudication during treadmill work.
- Healthy controls showed calf volume decrease then plateau, indicating balanced blood flow.
- Patients exhibited continuous leg volume increase during exercise, correlating with pain and impaired venous drainage.
Impact:
- Strain-gauge plethysmography during treadmill exercise offers a non-invasive and objective method for diagnosing venous drainage abnormalities.
- This technique can aid in identifying the cause of intermittent venous claudication, improving patient care.