Venous compliance and wall distensibility in the venous compartments of the lower limb in men

Abstract

Objectives: Lower limb venous compliance is of hemodynamic importance for orthostatic challenge. The qualities of different venous compartments is however unknown. The aim was to study venous buffering compliance (vBC) as well as venous wall distensibility (vWD) in deep (femoral vein, FV) and superficial large veins (great saphenous vein, GSV), as well as to assess calf venous compliance (vC).Methods: Strain‐gauge plethysmography was used to assess vC. Diameter (D), vBC and vWD of the FV and GSV were examined with ultrasound in 15 young (YM, 25±1 yr) and 14 old (OM, 70±2 yr) males. D was measured at rest and after venous stasis (6 min, 60 mmHg), and vein area (A) calculated. Pressure‐Area curves (absolute, mm2, and relative, %) during a linear pressure decrease were produced, and vC, vBC and vWD calculated using a quadratic regression equation.Results: vC was greater in YM, P < 0.05. vBC was greater in GSV in YM than OM, P < 0.01. D was larger in FV than GSV in YM and OM, P < 0.0001, and vBC was greater in FV than in GSV irrespective of age, P < 0.01. However, when correcting for venous size (vWD), greater vWD was found in GSV than in FV in YM as well as OM, P < 0.05.Conclusions: Calf venous compliance was greater in young as compared to old men. Femoral vein had higher venous buffering compliance than great saphenous vein, due to its greater size. When correcting for size, great saphenous vein showed greater wall distensibility than femoral vein.