Controlled External Thigh Compression: A Feasible Method to Simulate Venous Hemodynamic Alterations Resembling Deep...

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) poses significant health risks, including potentially fatal pulmonary embolism. Current clinical practice relies heavily on ultrasonography, requiring a skilled specialist. Alternative methods, such as light reflection rheography (LRR) and venous occlusion plethysmography (VOP), are non-invasive and simple; however, studies report limited consistency and standardization. The development of biosignal-based diagnostic tools is constrained by the inherent risks of DVT, including embolization, and challenges in patient recruitment. The ability to simulate DVT-like conditions would aid in developing and testing alternative screening methods. This study aims to present a simulation method of venous hemodynamic alterations resembling deep vein thrombosis using controlled external thigh compression with ultrasonic visualization.

Data collection with thirty healthy volunteers was conducted in a laboratory using a commercially available system VasoScreen 5000-4000 to record LRR and VOP signals. Vein stenosis at varying levels was induced through controlled external thigh compression under ultrasonic guidance.

The experimental simulation showed statistically significant but small changes in LRR parameters across different stenosis levels. In comparison, VOP results showed greater differences across stenosis levels, with 70% and 100% performing the best. In these cases, 47% and 70% of the measurements, respectively, were below the normal reference limit, with a notably increased outflow time constant, compared to the baseline measurements, where it remained low despite varying venous capacity.

Presented hemodynamic alterations demonstrated to be a feasible option for simulating DVT-like conditions via controlled external pressure on the thigh.