An ultrasound study of gestational and postural changes in the deep venous system of the leg in pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate gestational and postural changes in diameter and blood flow in the proximal deep leg veins during pregnancy.


METHODS
A longitudinal, prospective observational study.


METHODS
The ultrasound department of a teaching maternity hospital.


METHODS
Twenty-four healthy women with uncomplicated singleton pregnancies.


METHODS
Real-time and duplex Doppler ultrasound assessments of the vessel diameter, flow velocity and respiratory flow fluctuation in the proximal deep leg veins of women serially measured from the first trimester of pregnancy to six weeks postnatally.


METHODS
The effects of increasing gestation and the adoption of the left lateral position on the above parameters.


RESULTS
An increase in vessel diameter and a fall in flow velocity with increasing gestation was observed. However, no change in venous flow variation was observed. Delivery had reverse effects. Flow velocity was slower in the left than right legs, but on adoption of the left lateral position an increase in flow velocity and venous flow variation was observed in both legs during pregnancy.


CONCLUSIONS
These data are consistent with the observed increase in incidence and pattern of deep venous thrombosis in pregnancy and may aid interpretation of duplex Doppler ultrasound examinations for deep venous thrombosis in pregnancy. Postural changes should be part of this evaluation. The gravid uterus may not be the sole cause for postural changes in deep venous flow velocity.
Macklon
N S
NS
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Glasgow, UK.
Greer
I A
IA
Bowman
A W
AW
D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D005260:Female; D005268:Femoral Vein / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D011152:Popliteal Vein / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D011187:Posture; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal