Correlation Between Upper Limb Volume and Arterial and Venous Blood Flow Velocity in Lymphedema Secondary to Breast Cancer Treatment

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to correlate upper limb volume and arterial and venous blood flow velocity in breast cancer survivors.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 30 women with lymphedema and a mean age of 55.60 years (standard deviation = 8.12). For the assessment of upper limb volume, perimetry was performed with measures at 6 points on the limb, which were mathematically calculated as volume. The blood flow velocity of the axillary and brachial arteries and veins were assessed by Doppler ultrasound with a probe at 4 MHz. In the statistical analysis, a Shapiro-Wilk test determined a non-normal data distribution. Spearman correlation coefficients (ρ) were calculated to determine the association between the variables blood flow velocity and lymphedema volume.

Results: We identified significant and positive associations between all variables correlated with limb volume: blood flow velocity of the axillary artery (ρ = 0.381, P = .041), axillary vein (ρ = 0.383, P = .039), brachial artery (ρ = 0.375, P = .044), and the brachial vein (ρ = 0.373, P = .045).

Conclusion: There is a positive association between limb volume and blood flow velocity in the upper limbs of women with lymphedema secondary to breast cancer treatment.

Keywords: Blood Flow Velocity; Breast Cancer; Lymphedema; Physical Therapy.