Factors Influencing Elastographically Determined Remodeling of Venous Thrombi

Abstract

Objectives-To verify whether elastographically determined remodeling of venous obliterating material formed during sclerotherapy is influenced by patient-specific factors.Methods-The study included 60 patients who underwent sclerotherapy for venous insufficiency. Elastographic parameters of obliterating material, including relative vascular cross sections (percent) with the highest (red), intermediate (green), and lowest elasticity (blue), determined 7 AE 1, 14 AE 2, and 21 AE 2 days after sclerotherapy, were analyzed against the patients' ages, sexes, physical activity levels, and pain severities.Results-The patients included 45 women and 15 men with a mean age AE SD of 51.2 AE 14.7 years. A significant correlation was observed between the age of the patients and the relative area of the vessel highlighted in red during the third control visit (R = 0.289; P = .025). The proportion of men in whom the elastographic structure of venous obliterating material during the second visit was classified as mixed was higher than that of women (66.7% versus 28.9%; P = .032). During the third visit, the proportion of patients with low physical activity in whom the elastographic structure of venous obliterating material was classified as fibrous turned out to be lower than the respective percentages of patients with moderate and high activity levels (12.0% versus 35.0% versus 46.7%; P = .045). However, none of these effects was observed systematically throughout the whole follow-up period. Conclusions-The time to complete organization of venous obliterating material may be longer in older patients, women, and patients with lower levels of physical activity, but these factors seem to influence the thrombus structure solely at specific time points in its evolution. Nevertheless, they should be considered during elastographic assessments of thrombus age.

Ultrasound elastography as a potential method to evaluate entrapment neuropathies in elite athletes: a mini-review

“…In contrast to SE, dynamic elastography, usually shear wave elastography (SWE), measures absolute stiffness of tissues, which is expressed as shear wave velocity (in metres per second, m/s) or converted to Young modulus (in kilopascals, kPa). Due to its simplicity, non-invasive character, and high accuracy, ultrasound elastography has already been recognised by specialists in many medical disciplines, such as oncology, hepatology [10], dermatology [11][12][13], and angiology [14,15].…”

Efficacy of Shear Wave Elastography in the Differentiation of Acute and Subacute Deep Venous Thrombosis

“…Venous thrombosis is a significant clinical problem that can lead to such serious complications as pulmonary embolism (PE). The incidence of venous thrombosis is estimated to be 1 in 1000 people per year in the general population, 2 and some 40% to 60% of these patients are diagnosed with PE, 3 resulting in death in 10% upon admission to hospital, despite the administration of appropriate therapies 4 . Furthermore, postthrombotic syndrome (PTS) may develop, which is a long-term complication impairing quality of life.…”