The development of valvular incompetence after deep vein thrombosis: a 7 year follow-up study with duplex scanning.
OBJECTIVE
To study the development and progression in time of deep venous valve incompetence with Duplex ultrasonography in combination with distal cuff deflation in patients with a history of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and to evaluate symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI).


METHODS
Prospective cohort study.


METHODS
In a long term follow-up study the deep venous system of 24 patients (7 men, 17 women, mean age 51 years) of an initial group of 27 with phlebographically documented deep venous thrombosis were examined with Duplex scanning at two intervals (mean 34 and 86 months) after DVT.


RESULTS
All but one segments recanalised. Deep venous incompetence occurred exclusively in post-DVT segments. At first follow-up 48% of the post-thrombotic segments showed valve incompetence, while at second follow-up this had increased to 60% (p < 0.001). Venous segments of the upper leg mainly contributed to this increase. Our group of 24 patients was too small to find any significant correlation between symptoms, thrombosis and valvular incompetence.


CONCLUSIONS
The development of deep vein valve incompetence after deep vein thrombosis is a progressive process over more than 5 years.
Department of Vascular Surgery, St. Antonius Hospital, Nieuwegein, The Netherlands.
E P
EP
van Haarst
N
N
Liasis
B
B
van Ramshorst
F L
FL
Moll
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001458:Bandages; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003374:Coumarins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005268:Femoral Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006493:Heparin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010690:Phlebography; D011152:Popliteal Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012074:Remission Induction; D013924:Thrombophlebitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D013977:Tibia / Q000098:blood supply; D018616:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex; D014680:Veins; D014689:Venous Insufficiency / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology
D000925:Anticoagulants; D003374:Coumarins; D006493:Heparin