The Evaluation of the Pathophysiology of Varicose Veins in Pregnancy

PPG is a non-invasive method used to evaluates the severity venous reflux by measuring the venous refiling time (VRT).The principal of PPG works by using a small light source and a photoelectric cell attached to the skin in the medial supramalleolar area of the leg (the distal lower medial area of the leg).

"First trimester (0-13 weeks):~* Consent~* Clinical data collection~* Blood samples (genomic+ hormonal)~* Duplex ultrasound~* Vector flow imaging (advanced ultrasound software)~* Truncated cone tool (measuring leg circumference using a tape measure)~* PPG~* AVVQ (Aberdeen varicose veins questionaire)~Second trimester (14-26 weeks):~* Clinical data collection~* Blood sample (hormonal only)~* DUS~* VFI~* Truncated cone tool~* PPG~* AVVQ~Third trimester (27-40 weeks):~Same as second trimester~Three months after giving birth:~Same as second trimester"