The Application of MEVEC 3D Doppler Ultrasound Technique for a New Classification of Morpho-Functional Phenotypes in Lower Limbs Venous Diseases

Vasc Health Risk Manag. 2022 Feb 26:18:81-87. doi: 10.2147/VHRM.S333507. eCollection 2022.

Abstract

Introduction: MEVEC 2.1 is a novel 3D mapping software dedicated to the evaluation of the venous vascular three of the lower limbs. It has already proven as a sensitive, specific, and accurate technique able to provide better morphologic and functional details of the lower limb venous system than standard reports. The aim of this study was to identify specific morpho-functional graphic phenotypes in lower limb venous diseases by means of MEVEC 2.1.

Materials: Three-hundred eleven consecutive outpatients underwent lower limb Doppler ultrasound examination by means of the MEVEC 2.1 technique. All of them showed at least one among these pathological findings: venous insufficiency, thrombosis, incompressibility, and/or incompetent.

Results: We tried to evaluate possible clusters among the different morpho-functional findings from the venous maps in order to outline reproducible phenotypes. Correlation indexes allowed us to provide a classification in morpho-functional phenotypes in order to standardize the data from examinations performed by different physicians. Twelve phenotypes had been proposed.

Conclusion: The study showed that the MEVEC 2.1 technique provides a standardized classification that allows physicians identifying phenotypes yielded by 3D mapping of the veins of the lower limbs.

Keywords: 3D mapping; MEVEC; lower limb venous diseases; venous mapping; venous ultrasound.

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Lower Extremity / blood supply
  • Phenotype
  • Ultrasonography, Doppler
  • Veins* / diagnostic imaging
  • Venous Insufficiency* / diagnostic imaging

Grants and funding

There is no funding to report.