Identification of diagnostic maneuvers positive for arterial compression in symptomatic or asymptomatic individuals who engage in regular weight training

BACKGROUND: Arterial compression syndromes can be identified in asymptomatic individuals using specific diagnostic maneuvers involving palpation of peripheral pulses. OBJECTIVE: To identify diagnostic maneuvers positive for extrinsic compression in the upper and lower limbs of people who exercise regularly. METHODS: The sample consisted of people over 18 years old who had been attending a gym for a minimum of 1 hour per week and for at least 1 month. A data collection instrument comprising 20 questions was administered to the study participants, covering personal characteristics, the types of exercises engaged in and possible symptoms. The Adson, Hyperabduction and Costoclavicular maneuvers and also tests to reveal popliteal artery entrapment were performed. Data from the questionnaires and the maneuver results were analyzed using SPSS v.20.0. RESULTS: The study enrolled 202 volunteers who attended the gyms investigated, comprising 98 women and 104 men aged 18 to 63 (mean of 27 years). One hundred and seventy (84.2%) subjects were asymptomatic and 32 (15.8%) people reported some type of discomfort such as pain, paresthesia or a cool sensation. Ninety of the 202 individuals analyzed (44.6%) exhibited at least one positive maneuver. Total numbers of compressions per subject were as follows: two people (1%) had four positive maneuvers; 19 (9.4%) had three positive maneuvers; 31 (15.3%) had two positive maneuvers, 38 (18.8%) exhibited one positive maneuver and 112 (55 4%) people were positive for none of the maneuvers. The hyperabduction maneuver was the most prevalent maneuver. CONCLUSION: Diagnostic maneuvers positive for extrinsic arterial compression were identified in 44.6% of the asymptomatic individuals analyzed

Associations between flow in paratibial perforating veins and great saphenous vein patterns of reflux

Perforating veins contribute to chronic venous valvular insufficiency (CVVI, subset of CVI) of lower extremities (LE). We investigated the role of medial, proximal calf paratibial perforating veins (PTPV). Women with PTPV reflux, diameter ≥3 mm, or tortuosity were selected among 2199 LE mappings. Duplex ultrasonography (US) was performed standing. Reflux >0.5 s was abnormal. PTPV conditions were related to great saphenous vein (GSV) patterns of reflux. US of 442 LE of 379 women were analyzed, all being Clinical-Etiology-Anatomy-Pathophysiology (CEAP) classification C1, C2, and/or having intermittent, conditional swelling. Etiology was primary. Pathophysiology was reflux, not thrombosis or obstruction. Most PTPV drained (n=281, 64% of 442 or 13% of 2199), or were source (n=73, 17%/442, 3%/2199) of GSV reflux; 49 (11%/442, 2%/2199) had reflux not associated with GSV; 39 (9%/442, 2%/2199) did not have reflux. PTPV, when significative for CVVI, primarily drained-GSV reflux. PTPV was linked to reflux in 1 of 5 and was a major source of reflux in 1 of 20 legs. Detailed US of PTPV insured over 80% accuracy in CVVI mapping

Associations of anterior accessory or thigh posterior tributary and great saphenous reflux patterns in early stages of chronic venous valvular insufficiency

Varicose veins are a common disorder. Extensive ultrasound (US) mapping of lower extremity chronic venous valvular insufficiency includes the great saphenous vein (GSV), anterior accessory saphenous vein (AASV) and thigh posterior tributary to GSV such as the posterior accessory saphenous vein (PTSV, PASV). The aim of this study was to determine associations between GSV-AASV-PTSV (including PASV) reflux in a specific sample population of Southern Brazilian women, mostly euro descendents, with telangiectasias, reticular veins, varices and/or intermittent edema. US performed in 1016 extremities of 513 women, 43±18 (18-81) years old were included. Women with previous venous thrombosis, surgery, suspicion of pelvic congestion syndrome, and men were excluded. Small saphenous vein and related thigh veins were excluded from analysis. GSV-AASV-PTSV reflux patterns were analyzed; prevalence was compared using χ2 statistics. Reflux prevalence in AASV and/or thigh PTSV was 5.8% (59/1016): 1.3% at PTSV (n=13) and 4.5% at AASV (n=46), significantly lower than GSV reflux: 72% (n=727) (P<0.001). AASV and/or PTSV reflux was associated with GSV reflux (81%, n=48/59); common pattern was diffuse reflux, starting at AASV/PTSV saphenous junctions (56%, n=33/59; otherwise, short, non-diffuse reflux was noted in part of the AASV/PTSV evaluated. Isolated AASV or PTSV reflux was rare (1%, n=11/1016): 9 at the AASV, and 2 at the PTSV. US mapping of AASV/PTSV in early stages of disease, in women without pelvic congestion syndrome, increased reflux detection by 1%, and improved definition of reflux patterns in about 6% of the extremities