Scientific Session 7: New Diagnostics in Venous Disease
Imaging Biomarkers
Researchers validated MRI relaxation-time measurements against histology to estimate
thrombus age, finding that patient-reported symptom duration is an unreliable estimate
of clot biology. A separate study found that femoral vein pulsatility
on routine venous duplex was highly specific for right heart dysfunction, suggesting
incidental leg ultrasound findings may warrant cardiac evaluation.
Screening and Classification Tools
An AI model using natural language processing and computer vision generated CEAP
classification scores directly from duplex reports with strong accuracy, offering a path
toward standardized, automated severity scoring. A thermal imaging study found the
technique could rule out superficial venous insufficiency with high sensitivity, reducing
unnecessary duplex referrals in community settings.
Cost and Emerging Technology
An economic analysis found that 88% of nearly 800 ultrasounds ordered to rule out DVT at
one health system were negative, with overnight wait times up to 12 hours and over $420,000 in
monthly fees. A mass-spectrometry method for wound fluid identified lipid
signatures linked to healing, while fiber-optic shape-sensing navigation for venous
recanalization remains promising but limited by wire stiffness and cost.
