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

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.