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CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Ultrasound Int Open 2018; 04(03): E91-E98
DOI: 10.1055/a-0643-4430
Original Article
Eigentümer und Copyright ©Georg Thieme Verlag KG 2018

Evaluation of Peak Reflux Velocities with Vector Flow Imaging and Spectral Doppler Ultrasound in Varicose Veins

Thor Bechsgaard
1   Rigshospitalet, Radiology, Copenhagen, Denmark
,
Kristoffer Lindskov Hansen
2   Copenhagen University Hospital, Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Copenhagen, Denmark
,
Andreas Brandt
3   Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Department of Diagnostic Radiology, 2100 Copenhagen Oe, Denmark
,
Ramin Moshavegh
4   The Technical University of Denmark, Department of Electrical Engineering Center for Fast Ultrasound Imaging, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
,
Julie Lyng Forman
5   Copenhagen University, Department of Public Health Section of Biostatistics, 1014 Copenhagen K, Denmark
,
Pia Føgh
6   Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Department of Vascular Surgery Herlev & Gentofte Hospital, 2900 Hellerup, Denmark
,
Lotte Klitfod
6   Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Department of Vascular Surgery Herlev & Gentofte Hospital, 2900 Hellerup, Denmark
,
Niels Bækgaard
6   Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Department of Vascular Surgery Herlev & Gentofte Hospital, 2900 Hellerup, Denmark
,
Lars Lönn
7   Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, DK, Radiology, Copenhagen, Denmark
,
Jørgen Arendt Jensen
8   Technical University of Denmark, Department of Electrical Engineering Center for Fast Ultrasound Imaging, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
,
Michael Bachmann Nielsen
1   Rigshospitalet, Radiology, Copenhagen, Denmark
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 15 December 2017
revised 24 April 2018

accepted 17 May 2018

Publication Date:
28 September 2018 (online)

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Abstract

Purpose Spectral Doppler ultrasound (SDUS) is used for quantifying reflux in lower extremity varicose veins. The technique is angle-dependent opposed to the new angle-independent Vector Flow Imaging (VFI) method. The aim of this study was to compare peak reflux velocities obtained with VFI and SDUS in patients with chronic venous disease, i. e., pathological retrograde blood flow caused by incompetent venous valves.

Materials and Methods 64 patients with chronic venous disease were scanned with VFI and SDUS in the great or the small saphenous vein, and reflux velocities were compared to three assessment tools for chronic venous disease. A flow rig was used to assess the accuracy and precision of the two methods.

Results The mean peak reflux velocities differed significantly (VFI: 47.4 cm/s vs. SDUS: 62.0 cm/s, p<0.001). No difference in absolute precision (p=0.18) nor relative precision (p=0.79) was found. No correlation to disease severity, according to assessment tools, was found for peak reflux velocities obtained with either method. In vitro, VFI was more accurate but equally precise when compared to SDUS.

Conclusion Both VFI and SDUS detected the pathologic retrograde flow in varicose veins but measured different reflux velocities with equal precision. VFI may play a role in evaluating venous disease in the future.

Keywords

ultrasound - ultrasound-spectral Doppler - veins - peak velocity - vector flow imaging
 

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