[Re-permeation of deep venous thrombosis of the lower extremities: comparison between plethysmographic indices and phlebography scores. Preliminary results].

A prospective study, now pursued, has the aim of determining anatomical features (permeability of deep venous trunks and/or development of a collateral venous circulation) related to improvement in plethysmographic indices and comparing these with phlebographic data. Twelve patients have been investigated by occlusive plethysmography and bilateral phlebography of lower limbs on the day of diagnosis, after 10 days of heparin therapy and after 6 months of antivitamin K anticoagulant treatment started on the 11th day. Whereas a progressive improvement in plethysmographic indices and phlebographic scores exists during the course of treatment, no correlation has been observed between plethysmographic indices and degree of phlebographic obstruction. This suggests that the emptying rate indices cannot be considered as an absolute criterion for the decision to discontinue anticoagulant therapy.