Ann Phlebology.  2022 Dec;20(2):95-99. 10.37923/phle.2022.20.2.95.

Change of Venous Return after Diaphragmatic Deep Breathing

• Lee K
• Kim H
• Cho S
• Joh JH

• KMID: 2549985
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.37923/phle.2022.20.2.95

Abstract

Objective
We evaluated the effects of diaphragmatic deep breathing (DB) on venous return in symptomatic patients.
Methods
A prospective study was conducted on volunteers with venous symptoms. After ultrasound confirmation of deep vein patency, the blood flow velocity (peak systolic velocity, PSV) and volume in the common femoral vein (CFV) with duplex ultrasound and wash-out time of ⁹⁹Technetium-macroaggregated albumin ( ⁹⁹ Tc-MAA) with radioisotope (RI) venography were measured in supine and standing positions. After practicing DB for a month, the blood flow volume, velocity, and wash-out time of ⁹⁹ Tc-MAA were rechecked.
Results
In the supine position, the PSV of both CFVs and the flow volume of the right CFV were significantly increased after DB (p=0.043, all), while the flow volume of the left CFV did not show a significant change after DB (p=0.138). In the standing position, the PSV of the left CFV significantly increased (p=0.029). The time-to-peak and wash-out times of ⁹⁹ Tc-MAA for both CFVs were significantly shorter with DB than with normal breathing (all, p＜0.05).
Conclusion
DB may have a beneficial effect on venous return in patients with symptomatic chronic venous disease. Further research is required to evaluate whether this could be an alternative therapeutic approach.

Keyword

Chronic venous disease; Diaphragmatic deep breathing; Venous return, Duplex ultrasound; ⁹⁹ Tc-MAA with radioisotope venography