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Influence of age on venous physiologic parameters
M J Schina1, M M Neumyer, D A Healy
1Section of Vascular Surgery, Pennsylvania State University, College of Medicine, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey 17033.
Journal of Vascular Surgery
|November 1, 1993
Summary
Deep venous thrombosis risk increases with age due to diminished calf muscle pump efficiency. Age-related changes in venous physiologic parameters may contribute to this increased incidence in the elderly.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Physiology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) incidence rises significantly with age.
- Previous attempts to link age and DVT have not identified specific contributing factors.
- Age-related alterations in venous physiology are hypothesized to increase DVT risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between aging and venous physiologic parameters.
- To determine if age-related changes in venous function contribute to increased deep venous thrombosis risk.
Main Methods:
- Air plethysmography utilized to measure venous parameters in two age groups.
- Group A: 17 subjects (23-40 years); Group B: 11 subjects (60-83 years).
- Measured parameters included venous volume, filling index, ejection volume, ejection fraction, residual volume fraction, and outflow fraction, excluding subjects with vascular disease or DVT history.
Main Results:
- Group B showed significantly reduced venous volume and ejection fraction compared to Group A.
- Group B exhibited a significantly increased residual volume fraction versus Group A.
- No significant differences were observed in outflow fraction or venous filling index between the groups.
Conclusions:
- Calf muscle pump efficiency appears to decrease with advancing age.
- Diminished calf muscle pump function may be a contributing factor to the higher incidence of deep venous thrombosis in older adults.