ARTERIOVENOUS SHUNTS IN PERIPHERAL LYMPHEDEMA: HEMODYNAMIC FEATURES AND ISOTOPIC VISUALIZATION

F Solti, M Iskum, C Banos, F Salamon

Abstract


The hemodynamic characteristics of
peripheral lymphedema were studied in 28 patients
with uni- or bilateral leg swelling. Leg
blood flow was measured by venous isotope
dilution (a technique for nutritive - capillary
blood flow) and arteriovenous shunts were
visualized by perfusion scintigraphy using
radiolabelled macroaggregated albumin.
Arteriovenous communications were uniformly
detected in lymphedema, with a calculated
"shunt flow" of 200 to 600 ml/min. Other
features in the lymphedematous leg included an
elevated limb blood flow rate and narrowed
arteriovenous oxygen difference.


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