Femoral vein pressure measurements for evaluation of venous function in patients with postthrombotic iliac veins.

Fifty patients with postthrombotic disease were examined by phlebography and by bilateral femoral vein pressure measurements. The degree of obstruction to venous flow was best evaluated by measuring the pressure elevation and pressure difference after exercise and the time required for these parameters to return to pre-exercise levels; pressures during rest and exercise were less conclusive indicators of obstruction. Good correspondence was found between femoral vein pressure and the severity of postthrombotic symptoms, while phleboraphy provided largely morphologic, rather than functional, information. We, therefore, consider it important to determine femoral vein pressure during and after exercise to evaluate the significance of postthrombotic iliac vein disease.