Venous Claudication Evaluated by Ambulatory Plethysmography

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.