Generalized changes in venous distensibility in postthrombotic patients.
BACKGROUND
In situ biomechanical properties of peripheral large veins were compared between asymptomatic young patients who had previously unilateral femoro-popliteal deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and age-matched, healthy controls; the aim of this study was to assess local or generalized alterations of venous wall biomechanics in postthrombotic patients.


METHODS
Inner diameters of both common femoral veins, right axillary vein, and right internal jugular veins were measured in two directions by ultrasonography. Venous pressure was altered by posture changes (standing and lying) and by application of graded and controlled Valsalva. Ten postthrombotic young patients without any symptoms and 11 age-matched control subjects were included.


RESULTS
In postthrombotic patients, both the affected and unaffected common femoral vein diameters and capacities were larger at low transmural pressures than those for the control group, but they demonstrated significantly less distensibility when higher pressures were applied. Similarly, in the internal jugular vein, capacity without Valsalva was significantly higher in postthrombotic patients and distensibility was reduced (statistically significant in the erect position). Pressure-induced changes in axillary vein diameter were negligible.


CONCLUSIONS
In situ diameter and capacity changes, and in situ distensibility of the femoral veins on both sides (i.e., the side of previous thrombosis as well as the disease-free side) and of the jugular veins are reduced in the young DVT patients compared to veins of the age-matched, healthy controls. The pathophysiological mechanism of generalized venous wall changes in these young DVT patients remains unknown.
Molnár
Andrea Agnes
AA
Clinics of Cardiovascular Surgery, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
Apor
Astrid
A
Kristóf
Vera
V
Nádasy
György L
GL
Préda
István
I
Hüttl
Kálmán
K
Acsády
György
G
Monos
Emil
E
Bérczi
Viktor
V
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001367:Axillary Vein / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004548:Elasticity; D005260:Female; D005268:Femoral Vein / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007601:Jugular Veins / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D011187:Posture; D018616:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Duplex; D014636:Valsalva Maneuver; D014680:Veins / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000503:physiopathology*