Deep Posterior Compartment Pressure in the Evaluation of Venous Insufficiency of the Lower Extremity — A Preliminary Report

A new method of assessing the extent of venous insufficiency in the lower extremity at the tissue level was tested on thirteen limbs with various degrees of venous insufficiency as evidenced by clinical signs and descending venography. Deep posterior compartment pressures in standing patients correlated well with standing venous pressures in these same limbs. Eighty-three percent of those limbs with deep posterior compartment pressures above 30 mmHg had objective clinical signs of venous insufficiency, namely edema, stasis dermatitis and/or stasis ulcer. Descending venography results were compared in six of these limbs, however, no correlation with compartment pressures could be found from this small sample. With further study, deep posterior compartment pressures using the slit catheter technique may prove to be a valuable aid in the diagnosis of venous insufficiency.