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30-Oct-2001
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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.
