Contribution of strain gauge plethysmography and photoplethysmography to the quantification of the hemodynamic disturbance in varicose vein disease

The significance of strain gauge plethysmography and photoplethysmography in the diagnostics of hemodynamic disturbance in primary varicose veins is discussed. Both methods have the ability to measure volume changes induced by calf pump activity and to quantify the pre-treatment hemodynamic disorders, the immediate post-treatment hemodynamic improvement, as well as the post-treatment deterioration occurring during the follow up. The most frequently used parameters are refill times t-90 and t-50; they yield precise and reliable results. For this reason, plethysmography is a rational supplement to duplex ultrasonography in the diagnostic investigation of varicose vein disease.