[Determining the severity of venous insufficiency with duplex sonography].

OBJECTIVE

The volume flow in the common femoral vein (SV) as a representative parameter of the venous hemodynamics of the leg can be measured using duplex-sonography. A direct correlation between the SV-data and the clinical grade of the venous disease was postulated.

PATIENTS/METHODS: SV was measured in 36 patients (62 limbs) with complete varicosis of the long saphenous vein, 18 patients (24 limbs) with an incomplete form of varicosis and 40 healthy persons (78 limbs). The assessments were done under standardized conditions. We found a significant difference of the SV-data between the three groups.

RESULTS

The values of SV were significantly elevated in varicosis compared with the healthy limbs. The data determined in legs with complete varicosis were significantly raised compared to incomplete varicosis. The means were 0.38 l/min in complete varicosis, 0.26 l/min in incomplete varicosis and 0.13 l/min in healthy limbs. During a time course of 30 minutes the values were stable.

CONCLUSIONS

The results demonstrate a significant correlation between the measured SV data and the grade of venous disease.