Open AccessColour–coded duplex imaging and dependent Doppler ultrasonography in the assessment of cruropedal vessels
Author(s) -
McCarthy M. J.,
Nydahl S.,
Hartshorne T.,
Naylor A. R.,
Bell P. R. F.,
London N. J. M.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
british journal of surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.202
H-Index - 201
eISSN - 1365-2168
pISSN - 0007-1323
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2168.1999.00972.x
Subject(s) - medicine , duplex ultrasonography , radiology , duplex (building) , angiography , anastomosis , doppler effect , surgery , ultrasonography , nuclear medicine , dna , genetics , physics , astronomy , biology
Background: It has been suggested that ultrasonography could replace diagnostic arteriography in the assessment of patients who present with leg ischaemia. This study investigated a group of consecutive patients who had femorodistal bypass and who were assessed before operation with colour‐coded duplex and dependent Doppler insonation alone. Methods: Thirty‐seven consecutive patients with critical lower limb ischaemia underwent surgical exploration with a view to femorodistal bypass. Results of preoperative colour‐coded duplex and dependent Doppler insonation were compared with intraoperative arteriograms and surgical findings. Results: There was very good agreement between colour‐coded duplex imaging and dependent Doppler insonation with intraoperative angiography and surgical findings in the prediction of the optimal run‐off vessel (κ = 1·0) and the site of the distal anastomosis (κ = 0·85; 95 per cent confidence interval 0·71–1·0). There was also very good agreement between dependent Doppler insonation and intraoperative arteriography (κ = 1·0) in predicting pedal arch patency and the predominant feeding vessel. Conclusion: Assessment of leg arteries before femorodistal bypass can be performed accurately with non‐invasive colour‐coded duplex imaging and dependent Doppler insonation alone, thus obviating the need for preoperative arteriography. © 1999 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd