Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 16, 2026

Non-invasive Assessment of Microvascular and Endothelial Function
Published on: January 29, 2013
Venous strain-gauge plethysmography--reference values
Objective:
To establish sex and age related reference values for venous strain-gauge plethysmography.
Design:
Strain-gauge plethysmography measurements in healthy volunteers.
Setting:
Examinations performed in a University Hospital (Malmö) and a County Hospital (Kalmar).
Participants:
Healthy volunteers, without history or signs of venous insufficiency. Twenty-seven men, 31 women, age range 15-74 years.
Main Outcome Measure:
Refilled volume (RV;ml/100 ml tissue), half refilling time (T50;sec), and refilling time to 90% of RV (T90;sec).
Results:
RV; lower limit 0.6 ml/100 ml tissue. T50; lower limit 3.3 sec T90; lower limit age dependent and calculated from the ekvation: In (T90) = 3.864-0.0111 age-0.337, where in is the natural logarithm. Methodological error: RV (15%), T50 (28%), T90 (23%).
Conclusions:
Strain-gauge plethysmography can be used to evaluate venous insufficiency and could be especially useful in follow-up studies after therapy. Normal age and sex related reference values are needed. In this study reference values are established. Preferably RV and T90 should be used.
Related Concept Videos
Sites for measuring blood pressure
The Brachial Artery: Primary Site for Blood Pressure Measurement
Special considerations while measuring blood pressure
Monitoring Both Arms:
Monitoring BP in both arms during the initial assessment is advisable, as the systolic value may differ by five to ten mm Hg between arms. For subsequent BP assessments, use the arm with the higher reading.
Pre-Procedural Guidelines for Assessing Blood Pressure
Measurement of Blood Pressure
Measurements of Strain
Assessment of the Cardiovascular System III: Palpation
Jugular Venous Pressure (JVP) Measurement
Position the patient at a thirty- to forty-five-degree angle or in a semi-fowler's position. Look for the highest point of pulsation in the internal jugular vein and measure the vertical distance to the angle of Loius or sternal angle. A normal JVP is 3-4 cm above the...

