Method of Preventive Ultrasound Diagnosis of Venous Thrombosis

Abstract

The objective of the study is to develop the method of preventive diagnosis of venous thrombosis using the ultrasound duplex scanning (USDS). A total of 306 persons were examined: 146 were patients with acute venous thrombosis, 108 patients with varicose veins, and 52 healthy persons (control group). All participants were examined using USDS, and D-dimer level was evaluated. As the result of the conducted research, an ultrasound phenomenon of echogenic particles in valvular sinus area (further referred to as spontaneous echo contrast) is described. A classification of this phenomenon is developed; 2 degrees of spontaneous echo contrast are documented. Spontaneous echo contrast of the first degree reflects the fact that the valvular sinus area is the most thrombogenic zone. Spontaneous echo contrast of the second degree is characterized as pathological; it is a prethrombotic state and can serve as one of the most early predictors of developing venous thrombosis. A high correlation phenomenon of spontaneous echo contrast of the second degree, venous thrombosis, and D-dimer level indicators is determined (r = 0.89, P < .01). An ultrasound study of valvular sinus is a simple, available, and reproducible method of screening and can be applied as a preventive diagnostics of acute venous thrombosis. The results of the investigations permit us to form risk groups of deep vein thrombosis and perform timely prevention of this pathology.