We evaluated pressure relief index (PRI) values in patients with chronic venous insufficiency. The study group comprised 15 healthy subjects and 71 patients. We determined the venous pressure in the orthostatic position, during exersion and following exercise. We repeated the procedure after the placement of a pressure cuff, located above the ankles. We estimated the pressure at rest (p-s), the lowest pressure during exersion (p-min.), the time needed to obtain normal pressure values (RT), 90% of RT and the Pressure Relief Index (PRI). The following groups were formed: group I - 19 healthy limbs, group II Ñ 17 limbs with superficial varices, group III- 4 limbs with superficial varices and varicose ulcers, group IV - 22 limbs with the postphlebitis syndrome, without varicose ulcers, group V - 43 limbs with the postphlebitis syndrome and ulcerations. Curves demonstrated the groups distribution of venous pressures. PRI values of healthy subjects amounted to an average of 1826 and were statistically higher, in comparison with the other groups (p < 0.001). PRI values were as follows: group II - 915, group III - 377.5, group IV - 530.6, group V - 176.6. p < 0.05 was considered as stastically significant. During the cuff test PRI values in group II increased to 1399.5, contrary to group III and IV values. A similar difference was observed between group V (PRI - 286.7) and group IV. PRI values below 300 consisted with a70% risk of varicose ulcerations.

Keywords: pressure relief index, Diagnosis, Venous Insufficiency