MORPHOMETRIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE VENA CAVAE AND THEIR HAEMODYNAMIC FEATURES DURING DIFFERENT PHASES OF THE RESPIRATORY CYCLE DEPENDING ON PHYSICAL ACTIVITY LEVEL AND BODY CONSTITUTION TYPE

Main Article Content

Лілія Юхименко
Володимир Козак

Abstract

Introduction. The study investigated morphometric parameters of the superior and inferior vena cava (SVC and IVC) and their haemodynamic features during different phases of the respiratory cycle according to physical activity level and body constitution using Doppler ultrasonography. Ultrasound imaging enabled visualisation of the major venous trunks, quantitative assessment of their dimensions, and evaluation of venous haemodynamics. Data regarding constitutional differences in vena cava morphology and haemodynamics remain limited. Since physical activity substantially affects adaptive mechanisms and venous circulation, studying vena cava structure and function in individuals with different somatotypes and activity levels is of considerable scientific interest.
Objective. To determine morphometric and functional characteristics of the vena cavae in individuals with different body constitution types and physical activity levels using ultrasonography.
Methods. Ultrasound Doppler examination was performed using a Siemens Juniper Acuson system (USA). Longitudinal and diametrical parameters of the SVC and IVC were assessed in 42 healthy male volunteers aged 19–27 years with different physical activity levels. Body weight ranged from 57 to 90 kg, height from 157 to 193 cm, chest circumference from 86 to 115 cm, and BMI from 18.5 to 26.4 kg/m². All participants had normal physical development and no cardiovascular or concomitant diseases. Data were processed using variation statistics in Microsoft Excel 2019.
Main Results. The greatest longitudinal vena cava dimensions were found in asthenic individuals, whereas hypersthenic participants demonstrated significantly larger diameters (p≤0.05). Normosthenic subjects showed intermediate values. PW Doppler analysis revealed respiratory-dependent haemodynamic changes in both veins, with increased blood flow velocity during inspiration and reduced flow during expiration, while pulsation predominated in the SVC. Regardless of body constitution, physically active men demonstrated significantly larger vena cava diameters than less active participants.
Scientific Novelty. In the supine position, Doppler curves demonstrated specific morphometric and haemodynamic changes in different respiratory phases. During deep inspiration, diameter collapse was more pronounced in the IVC than in the SVC. SVC haemodynamics remained independent of body constitution and preserved distinct pulsation throughout all respiratory phases. Physical activity significantly influenced morphometric and functional vena cava parameters and showed different correlations across somatotypes.
Conclusions. PW Doppler analysis confirmed respiratory-phase dependence of haemodynamics in both vena cavae, characterised by accelerated blood flow during inspiration and reduced velocity during expiration, with greater pulsation in the SVC. Asthenic individuals demonstrated significantly greater longitudinal dimensions and smaller diameters of both vena cavae (p<0.05), accompanied by pronounced systolic, diastolic, and reverse Doppler waves. Hypersthenic participants showed reduced respiratory-related diameter variability and lower-amplitude haemodynamic waves, particularly in the IVC. Normosthenic individuals demonstrated intermediate morphometric parameters and normal wave patterns. Higher physical activity positively correlated with greater systolic and reverse wave amplitudes, larger body surface area, and increased IVC diameter irrespective of respiratory phase (p<0.05). Low physical activity was associated with higher BMI, smaller venous diameters, and greater inspiratory collapse. The findings may be useful in physiology, medicine, cardiovascular prevention, sports medicine, and the development of individualised training and health-monitoring programmes.

Article Details

How to Cite
Юхименко, Л., & Козак, В. (2026). MORPHOMETRIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE VENA CAVAE AND THEIR HAEMODYNAMIC FEATURES DURING DIFFERENT PHASES OF THE RESPIRATORY CYCLE DEPENDING ON PHYSICAL ACTIVITY LEVEL AND BODY CONSTITUTION TYPE. Cherkasy University Bulletin: Biological Sciences Series, (1), 111–126. https://doi.org/10.31651/2076-5835-2018-1-2026-1-111-126
Section
Статті

References

Калмикова Ю.С. Методи дослідження у фізичній реабілітації: дослідження фізичного розвитку : навч. посіб. для студ. вищ. навч. закл. фіз. культури і спорту напряму підготовки «Здоров’я людини». Харків, 2014. 104 с.

Лежньова О.В. Взаємозв’язки показників центральної гемодинаміки з конституціональними особливостями у спортсменів юнацького віку. Вісник морфології. 2012. Т. 18, № 1. С. 143–146.

Мішалов В.Г. Практикум з хірургії. Модуль 2. Торакальна, серцево-судинна, ендокринна хірургія : навч. посіб. Київ : Видавничий дім «Асканія», 2011. 446 с.

Приймак С.Г. Спортивно-педагогічне удосконалення студентів: морфофункциональне забезпечення діяльності. Чернігів : ПАТ «ПВК ДЕСНА», 2018. 291 с.

Фізична реабілітація, спортивна медицина : підручник для студентів вищих медичних навчальних закладів / В.В. Абрамов, В.В. Клапчук, О.Б. Неханевич та ін. Дніпропетровськ : Журфонд, 2014. 456 с.

Якушева Ю. І., Сарафинюк Л. А., Кириченко Ю. В. Взаємозв’язки реокардіографічних параметрів центральної гемодинаміки з конституціональними показниками у волейболісток різного амплуа. Світ медицини та біології. 2015. № 4 (53). С. 95–100.

An improvement of body surface area formulas using the 3d scanning technique / G. Redlarski, S. Kozieł, M. Krawczuk et al. International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health. 2024. Vol. 37, № 2. P. 205–219. DOI: https://doi.org/10.13075/ijomeh.1896.02356

Assessment of inferior vena cava diameter by echocardiography in normal Indian population: A prospective observational study / S. Patil, S. Jadhav, N. Shetty et al. Indian Heart Journal. 2016. Vol. 68, № 6. P. 799–805. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ihj.2016.06.009

Bennett W. F., Altaf F., Deslauriers J. Anatomy of the superior vena cava and brachiocephalic veins. Thoracic Surgery Clinics. 2011. Vol. 21, № 2. P. 197–203. DOI: 10.1016/j.thorsurg.2010.12.010.

Blumgart's Surgery of the Liver, Biliary Tract, and Pancreas / ed. by L. H. Blumgart, Y. Fong. – 6th ed. – Philadelphia, PA : Elsevier, 2017. – 1952 p.

Current Surgical Therapy / ed. by J. L. Cameron, A. M. Cameron. – 13th ed. – Philadelphia, PA : Elsevier, 2018. – 1712 p.

Echocardiographic characterization of the inferior vena cava in trained and untrained females / K. Hedman, E. Nylander, J. Henriksson et al. Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology. 2016. Vol. 42, № 12. P. 2794–2802.

Equation for Predicting Inferior Vena Cava Diameter as a Potential Pointer for Heart Failure Diagnoses among Adult in Azare, Bauchi State, Nigeria / M. K. Yusuf, W. O. Hamman, U. E. Umana, S. B. Oladele. Journal of Clinical Images. 2022. Vol. 5, № 1. Art. 1113.

Greenfield’s surgery: scientific principles & practice / ed. by M. W. Mulholland, K. D. Lillemoe, G. Doherty et al. ; ill. by H. R. Fischer. – 6th ed. – Philadelphia, PA : Wolters Kluwer, 2017. – 2120 p.

Handbook of venous disorders: guidelines of the American Venous Forum / ed. by P. Gloviczki, J. S. T. Yao. – 2nd ed. – London ; New York : Arnold, 2001. – 557 p.

Impact of Body Size on Inferior Vena Cava Parameters for Estimating Right Atrial Pressure: A Need for Standardization? / T. Taniguchi, T. Ohtani, S. Nakatani et al. Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography. 2015. Vol. 28, № 12. P. 1420–1427. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.echo.2015.07.008

International physical activity questionnaire: 12-country reliability and validity / C. L. Craig, A. L. Marshall, M. Sjöström, A. E. Bauman, M. L. Booth et al. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. 2003. Vol. 35, № 8. P. 1381–1395. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1249/01.MSS.0000078924.61453.FB

Ivachevskij M., Rusyn A., Ivachevska V. Inferior vena cava collapsibility index as a non-invasive method of assessing the volemic status of patients during spine interventions. Orthopaedics Traumatology and Prosthetics. 2024. № 1. P. 33–37. DOI: https://doi.org/10.15674/0030-59872024133-37

Mapping the Associations Between Body Mass Index and Key Psychosocial Determinants: Resilience, Perceived Stress, and Emotion Regulation in Young Adults—A Cross-Sectional Study / B. Tilov, P. Stanchev, M. Dimitrova et al. Healthcare. 2025. Vol. 13, № 23. Art. 3150. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13233150

Mastery of Surgery / ed. by J. E. Fischer, K. I. Bland, M. P. Callery. – 7th ed. – Philadelphia, PA : Wolters Kluwer Health, 2016. – 2520 p.

Review of evolving etiologies, implications and treatment strategies for the superior vena cava syndrome / C. Straka, J. Ying, F.-M. Kong et al. SpringerPlus. 2016. Vol. 5. Art. 229. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40064-016-1900-7

Sabiston Textbook of Surgery Board Review / ed. by C. M. Townsend Jr., R. D. Beauchamp. – 9th ed. – Philadelphia, PA : Elsevier Saunders, 2021. – 304 p.

Schwartz’s Principles of Surgery / ed. by F. C. Brunicardi et al. — 10th ed. — New York : McGraw-Hill Education, 2014. — 2069 p.

Shackelford's Surgery of the Alimentary Tract / ed. by K. D. Lillemoe, C. J. Yeo. – 8th ed. – Philadelphia, PA : Elsevier, 2019. – 2184 p.

Superior Vena Cava Syndrome / A. H. Azizi, I. Shafi, N. I. Shah et al. JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions. 2020. Vol. 13, № 24. P. 2896–2910. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcin.2020.08.038

Superior Vena Cava Syndrome: A Palliative Approach to Treatment / K. D. Esposito, M. A. Shariff, A. Freiberg, M. C. A. Evangelista. Cureus. 2022. Vol. 14, № 8. Art. e27889. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.27889

Superior vena cava syndrome / P. F. Klein-Weigel, S. Elitok, A. Ruttloff et al. Vasa. 2020. Vol. 49, № 6. P. 437–448. DOI: 10.1024/0301-1526/a000908.

Superior vena cava syndrome: Clinical considerations / B. Pech-Alonso, C. Fermín-Hernández, S.I. Saavedra-de Rosas, R.J. Cicero-Sabido. Revista Médica del Hospital General de México. 2018. Vol. 81, № 2. P. 59–65. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hgmx.2017.03.004

Systemic venous diameters, collapsibility indices, and right atrial measurements in normal pediatric subjects / S. Kutty, L. Li, R. Hasan et al. Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography. 2014. Vol. 27, № 2. P. 155–162. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.echo.2013.09.002

The Relationship between Superior Vena Cava Diameter and Collapsibility and Central Venous Pressure / B. S. Cowie, R. Kluger, S. Rex, C. Missant. Anaesthesia and Intensive Care. 2015. Vol. 43, № 3. P. 357–360. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0310057X1504300312