Cardiac Doppler in patients with primary varicose veins of lower extremities

Abstract

Aim This study examines the characteristics of cardiac Doppler in patients with primary varicose veins of lower extremities. Material and methods We performed retrospective descriptive statistical analysis of cardiac Doppler data of 85 patients with primary varicose veins and compared obtained parameters with normal values. Results Patients with primary varicose veins in comparison with normal controls have significantly lower early diastolic mitral and tricuspid inflow velocities (E wave), significantly higher late diastolic mitral and tricuspid inflow and annular velocities (A and a′ waves), significantly higher systolic mitral and tricuspid annular velocities (s′ wave), and they have normal early diastolic mitral and tricuspid annular velocities (e′ wave). Conclusion Cardiac Doppler in patients with primary varicose veins differs significantly from the actual normal values. Possible mechanism of this finding is compensatory increased atrial ejection fraction due to altered preload in patients with primary varicose veins.