Impact of obesity on venous hemodynamics of the lower limbs.
BACKGROUND
Obesity is a risk factor for chronic venous insufficiency and venous thromboembolism. The aim of this study was to compare venous flow parameters of the lower limbs assessed by duplex ultrasound scanning in obese and nonobese individuals according to body mass index (BMI).


METHODS
Venous hemodynamics were studied in a prospective cohort study in nonobese (BMI <25 kg/m(2)) and obese individuals (BMI >30 kg/m(2)). Diameter, flow volume, peak, mean, and minimum velocities were assessed.


RESULTS
The study examined 36 limbs in 23 nonobese individuals and 44 limbs in 22 obese individuals. The diameter of the femoral vein was significantly greater in obese (8.5 +/- 2.2 mm) vs nonobese (7.1 +/- 1.6 mm; P = .0009) limbs. Venous peak and minimum velocities differed between nonobese and obese individuals (14.8 +/- 7.2 vs 10.8 +/- 4.8 cm/s [P = .0071] and 4.0 +/- 3.6 vs 1.7 +/- 6.3 cm/s [P = .056]). Calculation of venous amplitude and shear stress showed significantly higher values in nonobese vs obese (18.8 +/- 9.4 vs 12.5 +/- 9.3 cm/s [P = .003] and 2.13 +/- 2.2 dyn/cm(2) vs 1.6 +/- 2.7 dyn/cm(2) [P = .03]). Spearman rank correlation revealed a significant inverse correlation between waist-to-hip ratios and waist circumference and venous peak velocity, mean velocity, velocities amplitude (peak velocity-minimum velocity), and shear stress.


CONCLUSIONS
Lower limb venous flow parameters differ significantly between healthy obese and nonobese individuals. These findings support the mechanical role of abdominal adipose tissue potentially leading to elevated risk for both venous thromboembolism and chronic venous insufficiency.
Willenberg
Torsten
T
Swiss Cardiovascular Centre, Division of Clinical and Interventional Angiology, University Hospital, Berne, Switzerland. torsten.willenberg@insel.ch
Schumacher
Anette
A
Amann-Vesti
Beatrice
B
Jacomella
Vincenzo
V
Thalhammer
Christoph
C
Diehm
Nicolas
N
Baumgartner
Iris
I
Husmann
Marc
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D017078:Laser-Doppler Flowmetry; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000098:blood supply*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D012307:Risk Factors; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013557:Switzerland; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color; D014680:Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D014689:Venous Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D054556:Venous Thromboembolism / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D049629:Waist-Hip Ratio