DOPPLER ULTRASOUND AND PHOTOPLETHYSMOGRAPHY IN THE DIAGNOSISOF CHRONIC VENOUS INSUFFICIENCY

Abstract

BACKGROUND CEAP classification of venous diseases included the clinical, etiological, anatomic,and pathophysiological mechanisms of chronic venous insufficiency. The aim of this studywas to evaluate the convenience of Doppler ultrasound and photoplethysmography in thediagnostic work-up of chronic venous diseases, according to the CEAP clinical classification.Patients and 2 groups of subjects were incorporated in the study. The first group included 30 patientsmethods with mild chronic venous insufficiency, clinical stages C1, C2 and C3 of CEAP classification, while second group included 30 patients with severe chronic venous insufficiency(stages C4, C5 and C6). Venous hemodynamics evaluation was performed with Dopplerultrasound and photoplethysmography. RESULTS A cross insufficiency was found by Doppler sonographic investigation in 10 (33 %) ofcases from the group of patients with mild venous insufficiency, whereas in the group withsevere chronic venous insufficiency in 23 (76.7 %) of cases (p < 0.001). In the group ofpatients with mild venous insufficiency, a pathological plethysmographic curve was observed in 11 (36.7 %) out of a total of 30 subjects examined. At the same time, in the group ofpatients with severe chronic venous insufficiency, a shortening of plethysmografic curvewas detected in 28 (93.3 %) of subjects (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS In the group of patients with severe chronic venous insufficiency, clinical stages C4, C5and C6, a significant higher number of pathological photoplethysmografic and ultrasoundDoppler values were found, which indicates that the varicose veins are associated with afunctional disturbances. CEAP clinical classification reflects functional disturbances inmild (stages C1, C2 and C3) and severe chronic venous insufficiency (stages C4, C5 andC6