Summary
Duplex sonography was used to measure diameters of the common femoral, superficial
femoral, and popliteal veins in 56 patients followed for more than 6 months after
DVT and in 17 normal subjects. Diameter changes with Valsalva’s maneuver were also
measured as an index of venous compliance.
Among patients with unilateral thrombosis, segments with residual disease were 0.07
to 0.28 cm smaller than the contralateral disease-free side (p <0.05 for CFV and SFV)
with a diameter index (ipsilateral/con-tralateral diameter) significanty less than
that of normal subjects. In contrast, completely recanalized segments were not significantly
different from the contralateral side and had diameter indices indistinguishable from
normal subjects. Distensibility with Valsalva’s maneuver was not significantly different
from normal in DVT patients with either resolved or residual disease.
Venous diameter does decrease following DVT, but returns to normal following complete
recanalization and is not associated with chronic venous compliance changes.
