Noninvasive detection of axillary and subclavian venous thrombosis by impedance plethysmography.

Venous occlusion impedance plethysmography (IPG) is an objective noninvasive test which is widely employed for the detection of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in the lower extremities. The IPG technique is easily adapted to the evaluation of upper extremity venous thrombosis, as demonstrated in 46 patients with symptoms of axillary and subclavian venous thrombosis (88 limbs) and 26 normal volunteers (52 limbs). Venograms were obtained in 18 patients (22 limbs) and correlated in all cases with the previous IPG interpretation. The test procedure and interpretation criteria for the noninvasive detection of upper extremity deep venous thrombosis are similar to those previously developed for the lower extremities, but with more emphasis on comparison with the contralateral limb. Vascular laboratories performing IPG for lower extremity DVT should be able to employ this test for the detection of upper extremity venous thrombosis as well.