Ultrasound Doppler evaluation of the pattern of involvement of varicose veins in Indian patients.

Doppler evaluation of lower limb veins was performed to evaluate the pattern of involvement of various sites of incompetence in Indian patients with varicose veins. A prospective Doppler study of 100 consecutive limbs in patients who presented with varicose veins to the vascular surgery department of a tertiary care hospital in India. The Clinico-Etiological Anatomical and Pathological (CEAP) classification was applied for assessment. Doppler evaluation of both superficial and deep venous system of the lower limbs was performed. The data of various sites of reflux was analysed to find the patterns of venous involvement in the affected patients. Superficial venous reflux was seen in all the patients. Deep venous reflux was seen in 50% of the lower limbs examined. Doppler is a simple non-invasive test, and is well tolerated by the patients. Deep venous reflux is common in Indian population, though it rarely occurs in isolation, and is usually associated with superficial reflux.