The clinical importance of air plethysmography in the assessment of chronic venous disease

Abstract

Air plethysmography is a non-invasive test that can quantify venous reflux and obstruction by measuring volume changes in the leg. Its findings correlate with clinical and hemodynamic measures. It can quantitatively assess several components of venous hemodynamics: valvular reflux, calf muscle pump function, and venous obstruction. Although clinical uses of air plethysmography have been validated, it is used almost exclusively for medical research. Air plethysmography can be used to assess chronic venous disease, to evaluate improvement after venous surgery, to diagnose acute and past episodes of deep venous thrombosis, to evaluate compression stocking therapy, to study the physiological implications of high-heeled shoes in healthy women, and even to evaluate the probability of ulcer healing.

Understanding Chronic Venous Disease: A Critical Overview of Its Pathophysiology and Medical Management

“…Likewise, the use of other procedures, such as plethysmography, might be useful to identify pathophysiological mechanisms occurring in the patient by distinguishing among venous reflux, obstruction, or both, or conversely, muscle pump dysfunction. However, it does not offer the possibility of studying anatomical features [ 75 ]. Computed tomography venography or magnetic resonance are also valuable techniques in the CVD diagnosis, although it is normally reserved to complex cases with prominent venous alterations, malformations, or abdominal affections [ 76 ].…”

Analysis of the postoperative hemodynamic changes in varicose vein surgery related with small saphenous vein reflux

“…13 Both RVF and EF reflect calf muscle pump function, though RVF has a linear correlation with measured AVP. 5,14 However, there is some debate regarding this correlation, as some studies have reported a poor correlation between RVF and AVP. 13 In our study, all venous hemodynamics parameters were significantly improved between preoperative and postoperative 1 month.…”

“…13 Both RVF and EF reflect calf muscle pump function, though RVF has a linear correlation with measured AVP. 5,14 However, there is some debate regarding this correlation, as some studies have reported a poor correlation between RVF and AVP. 13…”

“…Each parameter can be used to quantitatively assess venous hemodynamics of valvular reflux, and some studies have shown improvement in these parameters after varicose vein surgery. [3][4][5] Some researchers also reported that APG parameters correlate with the clinical stage of venous disease; however, the correlations between APG parameters and clinical symptoms remain controversial. 6,7 High ligation and stripping (HLS) is a conventional surgery for the small saphenous vein (SSV).…”

The relationship between pes planus and venous insufficiency

“…In a previous study investigators found that high heels reduce muscle pump Continuous use of high heels tends to cause venous hypertension in the lower limbs and may represent a causal factor of venous disease symptoms. 21,22 It has been emphasized that venous changes are probably associated with the effectiveness of muscle pumps in the lower extremities. It has been thought to be due to shoe characteristics associated with changes in kinetic, kinematic and muscle activity variables in the lower extremities during production and exercise.…”