Functional ultrasound imaging of the venous valve of the great saphenous vein in the area around the crosse using the novel vector flow technique.

PURPOSE

The aim of our pilot study is to consider if the new flow presentation of the vector flow (V-flow) allows an assessment of the valve morphology of the crosses with respect to an insufficiency.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We performed a total of 50 investigations in which we documented a complete valve closure at the so called "crosse" at the valve of the large saphenous vein, a delayed valve closure or an incomplete valve closure with consecutive insufficiency at the crosse. The valve function of the crosse is crucial for the development of varicosis. For our study we recorded age and gender of the patients. One patient in the study was suffering from Covid19. For the examinations we used a 3-9 MHz probe and a high-end ultrasound device. The examination was performed in a lying position and under quiet conditions. Before examination we practiced inhalation and exhalation as well as "pressing" or coughing with the patients, which resulted in a physiological closure of the venous valves. To rule out thrombosis, we carried out compression sonography on the legs. During the examination we documented the B-scan, the Color-Coded Duplex Sonography, the HR-flow and the V-flow for 3 seconds at the estuary of the crosses and incorporated these parameters into our measurements. Via V-flow, vectors can be imaged by representing the flow of erythrocytes and visually indicate a possible insufficiency due to delayed or incomplete valve closure.

RESULTS

31 of 50 patients (age 19-81years) showed a complete valve closure of the crosses, three of them suffered from thrombosis. In eight of the 50 study participants (age 45-79 years) a delayed valve closure could be diagnosed by V-flow within 1-2 seconds. None of them had a thrombosis, but six of them suffered from cancer. In eleven patients we derived an incomplete valve closure with insufficiency (age 51-88 years). With reflux it took >2 seconds to close the valve. The patient with Covid19 also showed an incomplete valve closure with insufficiency. At the same time this patient showed a Covid19-associated deep vein thrombosis. Eight additional patients also had a thrombosis. Six of them suffered from cancer. Overall, the results were best visualized by V-Flow.

CONCLUSION

The crosse as a significant venous structure can be well investigated by V-flow with respect to hemodynamic changes and a resulted reflux. Also associated changes close to the valve can be visualized well.