Venous disease:
Early Stages Detection
A novel ultrasound device with improved imaging (> 14 MHz, detail resolution, low flow quantification) is preparing the world for a new era in phlebology: the detection of the very early stages of venous disease, in particular insufficiency.
We found motion-resistant blood particle aggregates around vein valves to serve as a predictor and indicator of venous disease. These aggregates are different from sludge (potentially mobile) and thrombus (fibrin-fixed platelets). After examining more than 1000 saphenous and superficial vein valves, we are able to recognize at least 6 different stages of ultrasound valve morphology (fig. 1). In the case of rapidly occurring hypervolemia (dilatation-based reflux) there is a mechanism bypassing stage IV.
