OBJECTIVE: Age is the strongest risk factor for venous thrombosis. Vessel wall changes such as thickening of venous valves may be one of the contributing mechanisms. We determined thickness and function of venous valves in the popliteal vein with ultrasound in 77 healthy individuals. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study included 6 age groups ranging from 20 to 80 years old. Thickness of the valves was compared between age groups. Valve closure time was assessed as an indicator for valve function. In 69 of 77 participants, valve parameters could be measured. We found an increasing thickness of the valves with age, with a mean thickness of 0.35 mm (range, 0.25 to 0.44 mm) in the group of 20 to 30 years and 0.59 mm (range, 0.30 to 1.21 mm) in the group of 71 to 80 years. The increase in valve thickness per year (linear regression coefficient) was 0.004 mm (95% CI, 0 to 0.009). Valve function was not directly associated with age. Valve thickness, however, was inversely associated with valve function. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that deep venous valves change with age, with thicker valves in older individuals. The increase of valve thickness with age may be part of the explanation for the age gradient seen in the incidence of venous thrombosis.
OBJECTIVE: Age is the strongest risk factor for venous thrombosis. Vessel wall changes such as thickening of venous valves may be one of the contributing mechanisms. We determined thickness and function of venous valves in the popliteal vein with ultrasound in 77 healthy individuals. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study included 6 age groups ranging from 20 to 80 years old. Thickness of the valves was compared between age groups. Valve closure time was assessed as an indicator for valve function. In 69 of 77 participants, valve parameters could be measured. We found an increasing thickness of the valves with age, with a mean thickness of 0.35 mm (range, 0.25 to 0.44 mm) in the group of 20 to 30 years and 0.59 mm (range, 0.30 to 1.21 mm) in the group of 71 to 80 years. The increase in valve thickness per year (linear regression coefficient) was 0.004 mm (95% CI, 0 to 0.009). Valve function was not directly associated with age. Valve thickness, however, was inversely associated with valve function. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that deep venous valves change with age, with thicker valves in older individuals. The increase of valve thickness with age may be part of the explanation for the age gradient seen in the incidence of venous thrombosis.
Authors: Ava L Liberman; Alexander E Merkler; Gino Gialdini; Steven R Messé; Michael P Lerario; Santosh B Murthy; Hooman Kamel; Babak B Navi Journal: Stroke Date: 2017-02-22 Impact factor: 7.914
Authors: Shinsuke Kikuchi; Lihua Chen; Kevin Xiong; Yukihiro Saito; Nobuyoshi Azuma; Gale Tang; Michael Sobel; Thomas N Wight; Richard D Kenagy Journal: J Vasc Surg Date: 2017-06-21 Impact factor: 4.268
Authors: Andrea Ágnes Molnár; György László Nádasy; Gabriella Dörnyei; Bernadett Bettina Patai; Jordan Delfavero; Gábor Áron Fülöp; Angelia C Kirkpatrick; Zoltán Ungvári; Béla Merkely Journal: Geroscience Date: 2021-11-11 Impact factor: 7.713