Morphology of the Veins in Healthy Individuals in the Area of the Saphenofemoral Junction during Normal Breathing, Valsalva Maneuver, and Ujjayi Breath.

Context: Valsalva maneuver (VM) is performed during strength physical exercises because it stabilizes the torso through an increased intra-abdominal pressure. By contrast, yoga practitioners are discouraged from Valsalva. Instead, they use Ujjayi breath (UB), which consists of unstopped breathing through the narrowed glottis.

Settings and design: This study was an observational research performed in healthy participants. The aim of this study was to evaluate veins in the groin area during different types of breathing. We examined both lower limbs in ten healthy people in the standing body position during: (a) normal breathing, (b) VM, and (c) UB. We measured the cross-sectional areas of the femoral and the great saphenous veins (GSVs) in proximity to the saphenofemoral junction (SFJ) and the function of the terminal valve of the GSV.

Results: In all participants, the terminal and preterminal valves of the GSV were competent. VM was associated with complete closure of the terminal valve, while during UB, this valve was opening and closing, following the breathing. Regarding the cross-sectional areas of the veins studied, in comparison with normal breathing, there were only slight dilatations during Valsalva and UB. The cross-sectional area of the femoral vein increased by 7%-9% during Valsalva and 2%-4% during Ujjayi; the cross-sectional area of the GSV increased by 17%-18% during Valsalva and 15%-16% during Ujjayi.

Conclusions: In the standing body position, UB allows for undisturbed flow through the SFJ, while Valsalva interrupts this flow, with blood stagnation distally from the terminal valve. Both Valsalva and UBs have minimal effect on the cross-sectional areas of the veins in the groin in the standing body position.