[Mercury strain gauge plethysmography. A noninvasive exploration method for monitoring the efficacy of treatment of deep venous thrombosis].

The plethysmographic tracings of a patient presenting a deep venous thrombosis, give information about the functional evolution of the affected limb. The plethysmographic parameters which are used to estimate the efficacy of the treatment of the deep venous thrombosis are: the venous capacitance, the venous outflow and the venous pressure. These values are always compared with the contralateral limb. The decision to stop an anticoagulant treatment is made after observing an increase of the venous capacitance and outflow and, simultaneously, a decrease of the venous pressure. During the last three years, we have followed up 200 patients with this method. It allows a rational therapeutic management which is based on the objective monitoring of the functional potentialities of the venous system.