Related Experiment Videos
A noninvasive screening test to detect "critical" deep venous reflux
R N Harada1, M L Katz, A Comerota
1Department of Vascular Surgery, Temple University, Philadelphia 19140, USA.
Journal of Vascular Surgery
|November 1, 1995
Summary
The venous filling index (VFI) can effectively identify critical venous reflux with 73% sensitivity. A VFI above 7 accurately predicts severe venous insufficiency, though proximal obstruction may affect results.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Medicine
- Diagnostic Imaging
- Medical Technology
Background:
- Venous valvular reflux is a key factor in venous insufficiency.
- Accurate, noninvasive quantification of reflux severity is clinically important.
- The venous filling index (VFI) offers a quantitative, noninvasive approach.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the sensitivity and predictive value of VFI.
- To determine VFI's ability to predict phlebographically defined critical venous reflux.
Main Methods:
- Thirty-one limbs underwent descending phlebography and air plethysmography.
- Limbs were categorized by reflux level: above-knee (group 1) vs. below-knee (group 2).
- VFI, ejection fraction, and residual volume fraction were calculated; tourniquets differentiated superficial/deep reflux.
Main Results:
- A VFI < 7 was observed in 3/6 group 2 limbs with iliac vein obliteration.
- Tourniquet application improved VFI in 13 limbs with greater saphenous incompetence.
Conclusions:
- VFI > 7 demonstrated 73% sensitivity and 100% positive predictive value for critical venous reflux.
- VFI may underestimate reflux in proximal venous obstruction.
- Improving hemodynamics with tourniquets suggests superficial venous insufficiency correction may aid reflux management.