[The peripheral and intracardiac venous system of the heart in chronic heart failure].

AIM

To evaluate the cardiac venous system (CVS) and its changes in chronic heart failure (CHF), by applying noninvasive studies.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

CVS was studied by Doppler echocardiography in 160 patients and by multispiral computed tomography (MSCT) in 41. For evaluation of the peripheral venous system (PVS), a Wildman apparatus was used to measure peripheral venous pressure. According to the stage of CHF, all the patients with this condition were divided into 3 groups. The cardiac venous sinus and cardiac veins were evaluated in control and CHF groups.

RESULTS

In CHF, PVS and CVS substantially change and significantly depend on the stage of CHF.

CONCLUSION

These investigations give more insight into the pathogenesis of CHF. On treating a patient with CHF, the CVS should be studied thoroughly and by all available techniques.