RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to research the physiologic effects of pregnancy on lower extremity venous hemodynamics. METHODS: Forty-eight limbs of twenty four women in third trimester were studied with air plethysmography (APG) and duplex scan. The 48 limbs were divided into two groups three separate times using three sets of criteria, parity, weight gain and symptoms (leg swelling, varicose, telangiectasia). Each set of two groups was then compared by hemodynamic results (venous filling index (VFI), ejection fraction (EF), ambulatory venous pressure (AVP)) of APG. Nine of them had follow up test after delivery. RESULTS: None of twenty four women had thrombosis or reflux in duplex scan evaluation. Forty two limbs (87.5%) in VFI testing, thirty nine limbs (81.2%) in EF testing and forty one limbs (85.4%) in AVP testing showed normal value. There were no significant statistical differences in hemodynamic parameter between any of the two groups divided by parity or weight gain or symptoms. CONCLUSION: Although the belief that the mechanical effects of the gravid uterus plays important role in causing venous disease of pregnant women, over eighty percent of pregnant women showed normal results in lower extremity venous hemodynmics study with APG. According to this studies parity, weight gain, venous symptoms do not affect hemodynamic conditions. Hormonal or other systemic factors must play a significant role in the development of venous disease.