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Impedance plethysmography: its limitations as a substitute for phlebography
Cardiovascular Radiology
|October 31, 1978
Summary
Impedance plethysmography (IPG) can reliably detect deep venous thrombosis (DVT) when results are abnormal. However, normal IPG results require follow-up with radiocontrast phlebography due to potential false negatives in DVT cases.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Medicine
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is a significant clinical concern.
- Accurate diagnostic methods for DVT are crucial for timely treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of impedance plethysmography (IPG) for deep venous thrombosis (DVT).
- To compare IPG findings with radiocontrast phlebography in a mixed cohort.
Main Methods:
- Impedance plethysmography (IPG) was performed on 132 legs.
- Participants included normal volunteers, patients with normal phlebograms, and patients with confirmed DVT.
- Results were compared against radiocontrast phlebography as the gold standard.
Main Results:
- No false positive IPG results were observed with a maximum venous outflow discriminant of 0.2%.
- IPG failed to detect DVT in 44-51% of confirmed cases, depending on the discriminant used.
- Significant rates of false negatives highlight limitations in detecting thrombosis in various venous segments.
Conclusions:
- IPG is a useful diagnostic tool for DVT when results are clearly abnormal.
- A normal IPG result necessitates further investigation with radiocontrast phlebography to rule out DVT.
- IPG alone may not be sufficient for definitive DVT diagnosis due to its sensitivity limitations.