Air plethysmography: a critical evaluation of the technique in patients with CVI

Air plethysmography (APG) was compared with clinical assessment and light r eflection rheography (LRR) in 68 patients with venous insufficiency (129 li mbs). The aim of this study was to investigate the possibilities and limita tions of this device for general phlebological practice. Out of the 68 pati ents, 9 were not able to perform the total investigation protocol (13%). Th e reflux measurement and the ejection capacity of the calf muscle pump corr elated well with severe venous disease, but poorly with mild or absent sign s of venous insufficiency. Abnormal refill time measured with LRR was in ac cordance in 82% with increased reflux with APG. A normal refill time was on ly correlated in 60% of the cases with a normal reflux APG test. it was not possible to distinguish between deep and superficial insufficiency, it is concluded that APG did not turn out to be the handy method for quick and ac curate screening of venous insufficiency patients, its place in the clinica l evaluation for venous patients is not yet clear.