The sex prevalence of lower limb varicose vein networks.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the sex prevalence of lower limb varicose networks fed by reflux of the great saphenous vein (GSV), anterior accessory saphenous vein (AASV) and small saphenous vein (SSV) singularly or in combinations. METHODS: We scanned by the means of the same Colour Doppler Sonography (CDS) protocol 3000 lower limbs in 1500 consecutive patients, affected by symptomatic chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) during the decade 2013-2023. Limbs with normal venous function, incomplete scans or affected by post thrombotic syndrome, pelvic reflux, venous malformation, phlebolymphedema and CEAP clinical class C5-C6 were excluded from the final analysis. RESULTS: Overall, 1072 patients, 252 (23.5%) males and 820 (76.5%) females (p<0.0001), matched for age (p=0.692), were included into the study for a total of 1956 limbs affected by primary CVI, clinical class C2-C4. The main finding was the significant prevalence of varicose networks fed by reflux of the AASV alone (OR 1.96, CI 1.26-3.06, p=0.001) or combined with GSV (OR 1.84, CI 1.34-2.52, p=0.0002) in females. On the other hand, GSV insufficiency alone was significantly prevalent in males (OR 0.54, CI 0.43-0.68, p<0.0001). Moreover, we considered the presence of competent terminal valve (TV+) at the level of the sapheno-femoral junction, which resulted more significantly present in female (OR 1.57, CI 1.12-2.19, p=0.0083); to the contrary incompetent terminal valve (TV-) was more common in males (OR 0.64, CI 0.46-0.89, p=0.0083). Finally, considering reflux in the AASV territory in presence of a TV+, a strong prevalence in females was detected (OR 2.28, CI 1.48-3.52, p=0.0002), while males developed reflux along the GSV when a concomitant TV- was present (OR 0.62, CI 0.41-0.94, p =0.0244). CONCLUSIONS: The analysis of the lower limb varicose networks highlights that reflux along the AASV alone, in presence of a competent terminal valve at the junction, or coupled with GSV insufficiency, is more prevalent in females. On the other hand, GSV resulted the main trunk feeding varicose veins in males, in particular when an incompetent terminal valve was detected. Our findings suggest that females could be more prone to develop the varicose vein with an ascending mechanism, whereas in males the descending one seems more common.

Randomized controlled trial on occupational graduated compression clinical and cost-effectiveness.

BACKGROUND: Subjects exposed to occupational standing are at risk of developing chronic venous disease. Graduated compression stockings (GCS) counteract venous hypertension. Aim of the present investigation was to assess GCS clinical and cost effectiveness in prolonged standing up workers. METHODS: Randomized controlled trial involving 75 healthy healthcare professionals working in 6 hours standing up shifts without or with GCS (group A and B, respectively). Outcome measures were performed before and after the shift, at baseline (T0), at 1 (T1), 6 (T6) and 12 (T12) months and included lower limb volume, air plethysmography (APG), quality of life, and dedicated cost-effectiveness questionnaires. RESULTS: Seventy-two subjects completed the data collection. Leg volume increased in group A and decreased in B at all assessment points (T0, 1, 6, 12) (P<0.0001). Venous filling index did not change within the 12 months, but, after every shift, its value was lower in B compared to A (P<0.0001). At 12 months, VVSymQ worsened in A and improved in B (P<0.0001) and CIVIQ significantly worsened in A (P<0.0001), while in B it significantly improved (P<0.0001). Perceived disability was higher in A at 12 months (P<0.001) and the cost calculation revealed a saving of 1510 euro per year in B. CONCLUSIONS: GCS counteracted occupational oedema and positively influenced venous filling index, while improving vein specific quality of life measurements in addition to cost savings.

The Effect of Active Stretching Training in Patients with Chronic Venous Insufficiency Monitored by Raster-Stereography.

(1) Background: Musculoskeletal disorders can be associated with advanced clinical stages of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). The aim of the study is to investigate the effect of active stretching (AS) training on lower limb venous function and quality of life in patients affected by CVI. (2) Methods: A prospective two-armed pilot randomized controlled was conducted. Twenty (20) CVI patients were randomly assigned to an AS training or to a control group (C) who did not receive any exercise indication. At baseline and after three months all the participants were tested for leg volumetry (LV), air plethysmography (APG), and quality of life (QoL) measured by a disease specific validated questionnaire (VVSymQ), ankle range of motion (ROM), and postural deformities using an optoelectronic body posture machine. (3) Results: At the end of the training in the AS group a significant leg volume reduction was detected (from 2340 ± 239 mL to 2239 ± 237 mL (4.3%); p < 0.0001), whereas in the C group no significant volume changes were found. The ejection fraction rate (EF%) increased significantly from 49.3 ± 9.3 to 61.1 ± 14.5, p < 0.005. A moderate-strong linear correlation with EF% and ankle ROM variation was found (R2 = 0.6790; p < 0.0034). Several postural outcomes such as pelvic tilt, pelvic torsion, and lordotic angle significantly improved in the AS group (p < 0.01, p < 0.04, p < 0.01 respectively). (4) Conclusion: The AS training impacts on the APG parameters related to the musculoskeletal pump efficiency, opening a further possibility in the management of CVI patients by means of an appropriate adapted physical exercise program.

The Effect of Submaximal Exercise on Jugular Venous Pulse Assessed by a Wearable Cervical Plethysmography System.

The jugular venous pulse (JVP) is a one of the crucial parameters of efficient cardiovascular function. Nowadays, limited data are available regarding the response of JVP to exercise because of its complex and/or invasive assessment procedure. The aim of the present work is to test the feasibility of a non-invasive JVP plethysmography system to monitor different submaximal exercise condition. Twenty (20) healthy subjects (13M/7F mean age 25 ± 3, BMI 21 ± 2) underwent cervical strain-gauge plethysmography, acquired synchronously with the electrocardiogram, while they were carrying out different activities: stand supine, upright, and during the execution of aerobic exercise (2 km walking test) and leg-press machine exercise (submaximal 6 RM test). Peaks a and x of the JVP waveform were investigated since they reflect the volume of cardiac filling. To this aim, the Δax parameter was introduced, representing the amplitude differences between a and x peaks. Significant differences in the values of a, x, and Δax were found between static and exercise conditions (p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001), respectively. Particularly, the Δax value for the leg press was approximately three times higher than the supine, and during walking was even nine times higher. The exercise monitoring by means of the novel JVP plethysmography system is feasible during submaximal exercise, and it provides additional parameters on cardiac filling and cerebral venous drainage to the widely used heartbeat rate value.

Physical fitness changes induced by thermal aquatic standardized exercise in chronic venous disease patients.

BACKGROUND: Lack of physical activity represents a risk factor for both cardiovascular and chronic venous diseases (CVD), nevertheless a specific exercise protocol for CVD patient is still missing. This investigation was aimed to assess the impact of a standardized exercise protocol in a thermal water environment on physical fitness and quality-of-life (QoL) in CVD patients. METHODS: Sixteen (16) CVD patients performed 5 standardized exercise sessions in a thermal water pool. Before starting the exercise protocol, the cohort filled International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) to determine their physical activity level. At baseline and at the end of the exercise program, leg volume, QoL, musculoskeletal and cardiovascular physical fitness were assessed by means of water plethysmography, validated questionnaire and functional test, blood pressure and heart rate at rest were also reported. RESULTS: All the patients were categorized as physically inactive: average activity time 235.6 (155.2) MET-minutes per week. At the end of the study, a significant leg volume reduction was found (-16%; p < .002). Significant improvement in lower limb strength (p < .0001), endurance (p < .006), rapidity and balance (p < .05) together with decrease in resting heart rate (-1.8%, p < .0001) and systolic blood pressure (-1.1%, p < .04) were reported, significant improvement in bodily pain (p < .0005) and social function (p < .002) QoL items were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed exercise protocol in thermal aquatic environment demonstrated to be an effective treatment modality improving both cardiovascular and musculoskeletal outcomes and QoL in sedentary CVD patients. Aquatic environment investigations require proper analysis of the various factors involved, in a standardized and reproducible way. The herein report can be a reference for further studies on different health related conditions.

Randomized controlled trial on Dryland And Thermal Aquatic standardized exercise protocol for chronic venous disease (DATA study).

OBJECTIVE: The present investigation aims to compare the effect of a standardized exercise protocol in thermal aquatic immersion vs dryland (DL) on patients with chronic venous disease (CVD). METHODS: Thirty-four patients with CVD (C3,Ep,As,Pr) were included in the study and randomly assigned to perform a standardized exercise protocol in a DL environment (DL group) or in a thermal water (TW group) from a natural hot spring at 33°C with a high mineral content. Leg volumetry, ankle range of motion (ROM), ultrasound-detected subcutaneous tissue and great saphenous vein (GSV) diameter were assessed. Quality of life was measured by VVSymQ and CIVIQ-20. RESULTS: After five TW sessions the average volume decrease was -432.4 ± 122.4 mL (P < .0001) in the right leg and -358.8 ± 109.3 mL (P < .0001) in the left. No significant volume change was reported at the end of the five sessions in DL. In TW, the subcutaneous tissue thickness significantly decreased (all assessment points P < .0001 right and P < .0001 left). In contrast, no significant changes were found in the DL group. The TW group showed a significant great saphenous vein caliber reduction, both in the right and left legs (6.2 ± 5.9%, P < .002; 6.1 ± 2.2%, P < .0001), whereas in the DL group no significant differences were found. After five sessions, ankle ROM significantly increased in both groups, both in dorsiflexion and in plantarflexion (right leg: TWdorsiflexionP < .0001, TWplantarflexionP < .0001; DLdorsiflexionP < .003, DLplantarflexionP < .007) (left leg: TWdorsiflexionP < .0001, TWplantarflexionP < .0001; DLdorsiflexionP < .006, DLplantarflexionP < .001). Only the TW group showed a linear correlation between volume and ankle ROM variation (right leg: R2 = 0.80, R2 = 0.75, P < .0001; left leg: R2 = 0.82, R2 = 0.81, P < .0001). The VVSymQ and CIVQ20 scores significantly improved in TW (P < .0001 and P < .0001, respectively), whereas DL showed a significant improvement only in CIVQ20 score (P < .02). CONCLUSIONS: Thermal aquatic immersion enhances the clinical benefits of a standardized exercise protocol for patients with CVD. Compared with the data available in the literature on non-TW, the present investigation shows a potential role of higher density types of water in lower limb volume control. Intense and rigorous data collection is needed to move from empirical evidence to evidence-based science in TW, a potentially very useful treatment modality for CVD.

The Effects of Thermal Water Physical Exercise in Patients with Lower Limb Chronic Venous Insufficiency Monitored by Bioimpedance Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Lower limb chronic venous diseases (CVD) lead to possible edema. The aim of the present investigation was to study the effect of thermal aquatic standardize exercise on lower limb edema control in CVD patients assessed by bioimpedance analysis (BIA). METHODS: Seventeen patients (34 legs) affected by CVD clinical class CEAP C3, 4c, Ep, As, Pr were included. All the cohort performed a standardized exercise protocol in thermal water environment for a total of five sessions. BIA, leg volume, and heart rate at rest were measured. RESULTS: After the five exercise sessions, BIA showed a significant percentage of extracellular water (ECW) reduction from 42.1 ± 5.8 to 41.24 ± 5.5%; p < 0.001. Moreover, an improvement of resistance (p < 0.0009) and reactance (p < 0.009) was assessed. At the same time, the leg volume reduction rate was 15.7%, p <0.0001. A moderate-strong correlation was found between % ECW and leg volume variation (R = 0.59, p < 0.01). Finally, a significant HR at rest reduction was recorded, p < 0.0001. CONCLUSION: The investigated exercise protocol significantly affects the lower limb volume, and BIA parameters related to the tissue drainage improvement. The correlation founded between the ECW rate and volume variations suggest the possible use of BIA as a biomarker for monitoring the treatments aimed to reduce edema in CVD.