background. Volume flow, as the product of the mean blood flow velocity by the cross sectional area, means an interesting hemodynamic pattern that can be calculated by duplex. objective. To quantify the severity of venous insufficiency using the correlation between the volume flow in the common femoral vein (VFV) and artery (VFA), called the venous arterial flow index (VAFI). methods. A total of 163 consecutive patients were included: 46 patients with postthrombotic syndrome (PTS, group 1), 38 patients with complete varicosity of the greater saphenous vein (group 2), 40 patients with only segmental or truncal varicosity (group 3), and 39 patients with competent veins (group 4). Under standardized conditions, duplex sonography was performed to calculate volume flow in the common femoral vein and ar-tery as a product of mean blood flow velocity ( v m ) and precise diameter ( d ϭ 2 r ) of the vessel due to the formula VF ϭ v m ϫ r 2 (L/min). Division of the venous and arterial volume flow data calculated the VAFI. results. Significant differentiation of VFV ( P Ͻ .001) and VAFI ( P Ͻ .0001) between varicose veins and healthy limbs were found. In PTS the mean VFV was 0.50 L/min and the mean VAFI was 1.465. In the complete varicosity group, mean VFV was 0.46 L/min and mean VAFI was 1.48. In group 3, the mean VFV was 0.41 L/min and the mean VAFI was 1.31. In healthy persons, mean VFV was 0.36 L/min and mean VAFI was 0.87. conclusion. The VAFI can be used to quantify the hemodynamic severity in venous insufficiency.

The VAFI can be used to quantify the hemodynamic severity in venous insufficiency.

Assessment of the severity of venous insufficiency with duplex-sonography AbstractObjective. The volume flow in the common femoral vein (SV) as a representative parameter of the venous hemodynamics of the leg can be measured using duplex-sonography. A direct correlation between the SV-data and the clinical grade of the venous disease was postulated. Patients/Methods. SV was measured in 36 patients (62 limbs) with complete varicosis of the long saphenous vein, 18 patients (24 limbs) with an incomplete form of varicosis and 40 healthy persons (78 limbs).The assessments were done under standardized conditions.We found a significant difference of the SV-data between the three groups. Results. The values of SV were significantly elevated in varicosis compared with the healthy limbs.The data determined in legs with complete varicosis were significantly raised compared to incomplete varicosis.The means were 0,38 l/min in complete varicosis, 0,26 l/min in incomplete varicosis and 0,13 l/min in healthy limbs.During a time course of 30 minutes the values were stable. Conclusions. The results demonstrate a significant correlation between the measured SV data and the grade of venous disease.

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