Pregnancy-induced changes in lower extremity superficial veins: an ultrasound scan study.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to follow changes in superficial veins of the lower extremities during pregnancy and the postpartum period in women with varicose veins.


METHODS
This was a prospective study with the use of duplex scanning during the first and third trimesters of pregnancy and postpartum period. Competent veins were defined as veins with an absence of reflux, and incompetent veins were defined as veins with reflux. The diameter of the competent or incompetent greater saphenous vein (GSV) and lesser saphenous vein (LSV) was measured. The diameter of the largest varicose dilatations was measured in all three networks: GSV and its tributaries, LSV and its tributaries, and nonsaphenous varicose veins.


RESULTS
Sixty-six women were studied prospectively (mean age, 32.2 +/- 4 years; 85 affected extremities). The diameter of competent and incompetent GSVs and competent LSVs increased between the first and third trimester (P <.001) and decreased between the third trimester and the postpartum period (P <.001). The diameter of the largest varicose dilatations of the GSV and its tributaries and nonsaphenous networks increased between the first and third trimester (P <.001) and decreased between the third trimester and the postpartum period (P <.001). No statistically significant variation of the diameter was demonstrated for any of these veins between the first trimester and the postpartum period.


CONCLUSIONS
The diameters of competent and incompetent superficial veins increased during pregnancy and decreased during the postpartum period to return to their baseline values.
Boivin
P
P
Service de chirurgie vasculaire, Hôpital de la Salpétrière, Paris, France. boivin6@club-internet.fr
Cornu-Thenard
A
A
Charpak
Y
Y
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010298:Parity; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011264:Pregnancy Trimesters; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D018616:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex; D014648:Varicose Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*