Development of primary varicose vein prevention method focusing on the function of venous valve

2024 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 22K15697
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 52010:General internal medicine-related
• Research Institution: Aichi Medical University
• Principal Investigator: Mitsuoka Hiroki 愛知医科大学, 医学部, 講師 (80789769)
• Project Period (FY): 2022-04-01 – 2025-03-31
• Keywords: 一次性下肢静脈瘤 / 静脈弁 / 超音波 / 遺体

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we observed 59 cadavers and found that the presence rate of venous valves in the iliac vein and common femoral vein was 41% in the right external iliac vein, 32% in the left external iliac vein, 60% in the right common femoral vein, and 67% in the left common femoral vein. ②We observed whether venous valves in the common femoral vein were detectable by ultrasound in 52 volunteers. Venous valves were detected in 55% of the right common femoral veins and 55% of the left common femoral veins, showing no significant difference in prevalence compared to the cadaveric specimens. Therefore, we concluded that venous valves in the common femoral vein are detectable by ultrasound. ③ The presence rate of venous valves in the common femoral veins of patients with lower limb varicose veins was 22% in the right common femoral vein and 31% in the left common femoral vein, which was significantly lower than that of volunteers on both sides.

Free Research Field

血管外科

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究では日本人の腸骨静脈・総大腿静脈の静脈弁の存在率と総大腿静脈弁がエコーでの観察が可能であること、下肢静脈瘤患者では静脈弁の存在率が低いことが判明した。下肢静脈瘤は多くの人が罹患する疾患であり、一部の症例では脂肪硬化や血栓性静脈炎、うっ滞性潰瘍を発症し、患者の生活の質低下や医療費の増大に繋がる。下肢静脈瘤の発症予防や早期治療介入は、患者負担や医療費を軽減出来る可能性がある。したがって健診などで総大腿静脈の静脈弁をエコーで観察し、静脈弁を認めない症例では圧迫療法を早期から開始したり、静脈瘤の発症リスクがある事を患者が認識する事は、静脈瘤の症状悪化の防止に寄与すると考えられる。