Value of Impedance Plethysmography in Suspected Venous Disease of the Lower Extremity

Abstract

We tested the correlation between impedance plethysmography (IPG) and venography (VG) in evaluating patients with suspected venous thrombosis of the lower extremity. Three hundred and eight limbs in 205 such patients were evaluated by both IPG and VG. With the results of the venograms as standards, 169 limbs (55%) were classified as "normal" and 139 limbs (45%) as "abnormal." Acute deep venous thrombosis (DVT) was present in 65 limbs, 47 of which had DVT of the major veins, popliteal and above. The correlated IPG was positive in 43 limbs, with a sensitivity of 91%, a specificity of 89%, and P < 0.001.