Varicose disease in pregnant women: clinical patterns and duplex ultrasound investigation of the veins

Abstract

The objective of the study was to improve the medical care of pregnant women with varicose disease based on the results of duplex ultrasound examination of the veins of the lower extremities, as well as on the clinical and laboratory parameters.

We evaluated the data of 128 pregnant women with varicose veins and performed ultrasound to examine the venous system measuring the diameter of the great saphenous vein (GSV) into saphenofemoral junction, midthigh, lower thigh and investigating the venous reflux.

The diameter of competent and incompetent GSVsincreased between the first and third trimester in the both groups(p < 0.001). The mean diameter was 4.3 (2.69–5.86) mm in the main group at 22–24 weeks of gestation, 4.6 (2.96‒5.86) mm at 32‒34 weeks, 4.5 (2.91–5.74) mm ‒ after delivery. The diameter of the GSV with reflux was significantly larger than that of GSVs without reflux in the saphenofemoral junction (R = 0.758, p < 0.001).

Pregnancy induces the alterations of venous physiology. Examination of clinical and ultrasound data of pregnant women with varicose veins is an important step to prevent the disease progression during pregnancy and childbirth.