Venous Claudication Evaluated by Ambulatory Plethysmography

Abstract

Objective:

To determine whether dynamic plethysmography during treadmill exercise allows objective confirmation of venous claudication.

Design:

Prospective investigation of the use of calf volume changes during treadmill work using dynamic strain-gauge plethysmography.

Setting:

University Hospital, Zürich, Switzerland.

Patients:

Eighteen patients with suspected venous claudication who had occlusions or stenoses in the femoral or iliac veins shown on phlebography and/or Duplex scanning, compared to a group of 20 healthy volunteers.

Interventions:

Venous occlusion strain-gauge plethysmography was carried out, followed by continuous volume recording while on a treadmill set at 10° and velocity of 7 km/hr for 3 minutes or until pain forced the subject to stop.

Main outcome measure:

Calf volume changes during exercise.

Results:

Significant differences were observed in calf volume changes during exercise in the group of patients with venous stenoses or occlusions and symptomatic venous claudication.

Conclusion:

Dynamic plethysmography during treadmill exercise allows objective confirmation of venous claudication.