Many severe pathologies originate in seemingly small, insignificant manifestations, which rarely anyone pays attention to. Even mild vascular changes can subsequently lead to stroke, heart attack, amputation of limbs. Vascular diseases arise for various reasons, it can be psycho-emotional stress, an unbalanced diet, an intense rhythm of life. The earlier an unstable state, the onset of the disease is detected, the more competent and adequate therapy is selected, and this is an important aspect for maintaining health. In medicine, preference is given to non-invasive research methods, which are very informative, one of them is lower limb rheovasography (RVH). We’ll take a closer look at this method: for what purpose rheovasography is performed, to whom it is shown and how the examination results are deciphered.
The concept of rheovasography
Rheovasography is one of the methods of diagnosis in which the blood circulation in the lower and upper limbs of the patient is examined. Blood circulation investigated in this way is called hemodynamics. It reveals a picture of the state at the time of the examination of the cardiovascular system, and also allows you to assess vascular tone. RVG shows the condition of arteries, veins in a selected area of the legs, arms, makes it possible to determine the ongoing changes in the walls of blood vessels. When deciphering, it can be seen whether there is a partial narrowing of the vessels or there is complete obstruction.
In human life, the main load falls on the lower extremities, therefore, most often, a study is prescribed for this part, this allows you to assess the blood vessels of the legs and prescribe the correct treatment.
It is possible to undergo reengineering not only in the direction of a doctor, but also independently. This study is carried out in many specialized clinics at an affordable cost. If you need reovasography of the lower extremities in Moscow, you can contact the following addresses:
- 2nd Tverskaya-Yamskaya Lane, Building 10 - OJSC “Medicine”.
- Banny Lane, Building 2 - SVSR.
- MKRN Novogorsk in Khimki - Design Bureau No. 119.
- St. Novozavodskaya, house 14a - clinic number 2.
- St. Lyapidevsky, d. 14/1 - “Dobromed”.
- St. Budayskaya, Building 2 - Russian Railways OJSC, Central Design Bureau No. 2.
Depending on the institution in which the procedure is carried out, its reputation, location, the quality of the equipment on which the lower limbs reovasography is performed, the price may fluctuate. Cost - from 800 to 2500 rubles.
Rheovasography is one of the non-invasive methods of examination, where penetration into the body is not required. For carrying out use high-frequency current. This study is not used for the vessels of the head, in which case the diagnosis is called rheoencephalography.
Procedure
To conduct rheovasography of the vessels of the upper and lower extremities, an electrocardiograph (ECG apparatus), special electrodes and a rheographic prefix are required. The task of a medical professional is greatly facilitated if computerized recording of indicators is used. In the study, a high-frequency current is used, which does not bring any unpleasant sensations. Blood is able to conduct electric current, for this reason, the resistance changes in different phases of the bloodstream. Dependence here is inversely proportional: with greater blood supply - less tissue resistance. From high to low there is a constant fluctuation. The rheovasogram graphically displays the passage of the pulse wave, the amplitude increases with increasing blood supply and, conversely, decreases with its decrease. The doctor of functional diagnostics sees the disturbance on the graph and can draw conclusions about the nature of blood flow.
Indications for examination
Rheovasography of vessels of the lower extremities is used both for the initial study of vascular pathologies and for monitoring the development of the disease. Indications are:
- Atherosclerosis, which often contributes to the violation of proper nutrition of tissues and narrowing of the gaps in the artery.
- Diabetes. Reovasography of the upper and lower extremities is performed. This ailment can lead to micro- and macroangeopathies, which subsequently develop a diabetic foot.
- Raynaud's disease. Neurocirculatory asthenia is characteristic, periodic spasms of the peripheral arteries are possible.
- Severe headaches that occur due to violations of the outflow of venous blood, as well as spasms of arterial vessels.
- Chronic cerebral pathologies, intracranial hypertension.
- Neurocirculatory asthenia, which depends on the lability of vascular tone.
- Diseases of the venous bed, which contribute to violations of the outflow of blood, in particular along the veins of the legs.
- Thrombophlebitis, leading to the formation of blood clots on the walls of blood vessels.
- Phlebeurysm.
- Embolism when a blockage occurs in the bloodstream.
- Obliterating endarteritis, which can lead to lameness.
In the absence of pronounced RVH diseases, it is recommended in cases of numbness of the extremities, with the appearance of bluishness and seizures, with loss of sensitivity, discoloration of the skin, and edema.
Survey Benefits
Each study has both its advantages and disadvantages. They can be associated with the technical side or with the professionalism of the staff. It is important that all the negative sides can be corrected and debugged for the better in the diagnostic process. The advantages of RVZ are as follows:
- Non-invasive method. A significant positive point is that the patient is not exposed to unpleasant and painful effects, for example, catheterization of veins. For research, a specially designed equipped office is not required, enough necessary devices.
- Ease of carrying out. A big plus for the staff. A qualified nurse can take a rheovasogram; its task is to apply electrodes and turn on the resograph. Analysis of the results will be done by the doctor.
- Inexpensive and affordable equipment for research.
- Safety procedures. RVG is possible in children and pregnant women.
- Reliable information. Vascular patency, quality of blood outflow, pathology and their prevalence level are determined with great accuracy.
- It is possible to conduct differential diagnosis of vascular lesions from functional impairment.
Minuses
Rheovasography of the lower extremities has very small disadvantages, these include the following points:
- Human factor. If there are too many patients, a nurse’s lack of proper rest can lead to dispersal of attention, and this can affect the quality of registration. If the working conditions, the rest regimen are observed, the qualifications of the medical staff are high, then this minus is absent.
- The quality of technology. Reographic consoles can interfere, which affects the results. The use of computers eliminates such flaws in the study.
Preparation for rheovasography
Preparation for rheovasography of the lower extremities is not at all complicated, however, all the requirements that are presented before the study must be observed.
- 15 minutes before the study, the patient should completely relax, get a preliminary rest.
- Those who smoke in two hours should completely eliminate the flow of nicotine into the blood.
- If you are undergoing treatment with any medications, you must abandon the drugs one day before the REV.
- When undergoing rheovasography, the limbs should be freed from clothing.
Conducting research
The patient lies on the couch, and the pose is on his back. The skin of the limbs is degreased with alcohol. Sensors are attached to the treated areas. The wires are drawn from the device, ending with electrodes, which will read the information. The signals are transmitted to the screen, a reovasogram is recorded, and the main indicators are calculated.
A rheovasogram can be performed using multichannel rheographs, or the study is carried out sequentially, starting from areas remote from the center, ending with neighbors. A characteristic feature when placing the conductors is strict symmetry.
Indicators
Reovasography of the lower extremities is carried out with the aim of studying the quantitative indicators of the state of the vessels. Synchronous wave readings are equal to the heart rate. According to the waves, one can judge the filling of blood vessels, depending on the phase of the heartbeat in a certain time period. As a result of the study, RI (rheographic index) is derived. It is calculated by comparing the amplitude of the waves with the height (calibration pulse). The value of RI directly depends on the filling of blood vessels with blood, with its help it is possible to calculate the total intensity with which the organ is filled with arterial blood. The following parameters are also referred to the main indicators: outflow value; elasticity; peripheral resistance.
Rheovasography of vessels of the lower extremities (decoding)
After receiving the reovasogram, the decryption time comes, which is carried out by a qualified specialist. This is the main point of the study, all pathologies are discovered here and the question of further treatment is being resolved. The interpretation of rheovasography of the lower extremities includes the following important points:
- The main emphasis is the study of RI. A value of 0.04 indicates a sharp decrease in the norm, an index of 0.04-0.05 indicates a moderate decrease. RI above 0.05 is considered normal.
- The elasticity index (IE). A sharply reduced indicator is less than 0.2. Moderately reduced - 0.2-0.4. Normal is 0.4.
- To determine the outflow of blood in the vessels, calculate the corresponding index, the norm of which is 0.2-0.5. If the value is less, the outflow is facilitated; an indicator above 0.5 indicates difficulties in outflow.
- Indicators of peripheral resistance: more than 0.55 - overstated; less than 0.15 - underestimated. The norm is 0.2-0.45.
Functional Tests
To identify hidden pathologies, functional pharmacological tests can be used:
- Nitroglycerin. After resorption of nitroglycerin, RVG is performed, after which the result is compared with the usual one. This is necessary in order to distinguish between organic contractions and functional spasms.
- Compression. Used in the study of deep vein thrombosis. For comparison with the usual indicators of RVG, a cuff is placed on the thigh and indicators are fixed after it is removed.
- Cold. It is carried out to diagnose various pathologies in the hands. Cold water is applied. The rheogram is removed three times after a certain time, the results of the restoration of blood flow are compared, conclusions are drawn. Negative test - on the restoration of RI in the 7th minute. Positive test - slow recovery up to 30 minutes.