Related Experiment Videos
Venous function and clinical outcome following deep vein thrombosis
A A Milne1, P A Stonebridge, A W Bradbury
1University Department of Surgery, Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh, UK.
The British Journal of Surgery
|June 1, 1994
Summary
Severe post-thrombotic syndrome is strongly linked to venous reflux, a condition where blood flows backward. While venous reflux appears necessary for severe symptoms, other factors also contribute to their development after deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
Area of Science:
- Vascular Medicine
- Phlebology
- Medical Diagnostics
Background:
- Post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) is a common complication following deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
- The relationship between venous function and PTS severity requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To correlate the severity of post-thrombotic symptoms with deep and superficial venous function.
- To investigate the role of venous reflux in the development of severe PTS.
Main Methods:
- Correlation of PTS symptom severity with foot volumetry and duplex ultrasonography.
- Assessment of venous function in 111 limbs (107 patients) with a history of DVT.
- Analysis of deep and superficial venous reflux and venous refilling times.
Main Results:
- No significant relationship found between DVT site or time since DVT and symptom severity.
- Severe PTS (group 3) showed significantly shorter half-refilling times compared to mild/moderate groups (P=0.01).
- Venous reflux detected in over half of limbs across all symptom severity groups; normal scans were associated with absence of severe symptoms (P=0.04).
Conclusions:
- Venous reflux is strongly associated with severe PTS and may be a necessary factor.
- Additional contributing factors beyond venous reflux are implicated in the development of severe PTS.
- Duplex ultrasonography and foot volumetry are valuable tools for assessing venous function in PTS patients.