Prospective cohort study of the venous system through duplex mapping in the puerperal pregnancy cycle

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the changes in the venous system during pregnancy and childbirth in pregnant and postpartum women without previous venous disease. Methods: This is an observational, analytical prospective cohort study carried out from May 2021 to October 2021, in pregnant women undergoing caesarean section on their first postoperative day, with duplex mapping being performed to assess the diameter and reflux of the great and small saphenous veins, mean venous flow velocity in the common femoral veins in dorsal decubitus and the comparison of velocities when adopting the left and right lateral decubitus position before caesarean section and on the first postpartum day. Result: 49 pregnant women were evaluated, and an increase in flow velocity was observed when adopting the right and left lateral positions in relation to pre- and post-cesarean section in dorsal decubitus. The mean velocity of venous flow from the common femoral vein increased in the postpartum period, regardless of the decubitus adopted. Conclusion: There was an improvement in flow in the femoral vein with the change from dorsal decubitus to right and left lateral decubitus and after termination of pregnancy.

The Use of Doppler to Assess Hemodynamic Alterations in Maternal Common Femoral Veins in Uncomplicated Pregnancies: A Cohort Study

“…[3][4][5][6][7][8] The decreasing velocity of blood in these vessels has also been observed by a few researchers who reported marked changes toward the end of pregnancy. [9][10][11][12] Venous dilatation and the slowing of blood flow velocity, due to pregnancy-associated hypercoagulability, can act as predisposing factors for the development of varicose veins and venous thrombosis. 9,11,13 Sonography along with spectral Doppler can act as a valuable diagnostic tool for non-invasive assessment of the lower extremity venous hemodynamics.…”

“…3 –8 The decreasing velocity of blood in these vessels has also been observed by a few researchers who reported marked changes toward the end of pregnancy. 9 –12 Venous dilatation and the slowing of blood flow velocity, due to pregnancy-associated hypercoagulability, can act as predisposing factors for the development of varicose veins and venous thrombosis. 9,11,13…”