Last update:

   30-Oct-2001
 

Arch Hellen Med, 2000, 17(Supplement):98-101

ORIGINAL PAPER

The application of air-plethysmography
in the assessment of deep vein thrombosis

S. VASDEKIS, C. LOUPOU, A. GOUGOULAKIS, S. GIANNAKAKIS,
A. LAZARIS, G. GALANIS, K. FOTIADIS, M.N. SECHAS
3rd Surgical Department, Athens University Medical School, Chest Hospital “Sotiria”, Athens, Greece

OBJECTIVE The diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is usually achieved non-invasively by means of colour flow imaging technique, which gives accurate anatomic information concerning the localization and extension of thrombus. Air-plethysmography (APG) was recently introduced as a diagnostic tool for DVT. It is a non-invasive method that gives quantitative information for the alterations of leg volume. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of APG in the detection of DVT.
METHOD Two groups of patients were prospectively evaluated. Group A consisted of 20 patients (21 limbs) with a history of recent DVT diagnosed by colour flow imaging and/or ascending venography. Group B consisted of 29 patients (41 limbs) with normal deep veins. The rate of venous emptying was measured by APG and expressed as outflow fraction at one (OF1) and two seconds (OF2).
RESULTS The sensitivity and specificity of the method when using OF1 were found 81 and 80.5%. When the OF2 was used the sensitivity was 86% and the specificity 87%.
CONCLUSIONS APG should be used as the first screening test for the detection of DVT. Colour flow imaging should be applied selectively.

Key words: Air-plethysmography, Vein thrombosis.


© 2001, Archives of Hellenic Medicine