Ultrasonographically Monitored Postocclusive Reactive Hyperemia in the Diagnosis of Peripheral Arterial Occlusive Disease

The femoral artery postocclusive reactive hyperemia response was monitored by transcutaneous Doppler ultrasonography. Normal values which were established from a group of 25 volunteers included a mean percentage increase[See Equation in PDF File]of 225.8% and a mean recovery half time of 25.2 secs. In a group of 22 patients with angiographically documented arterial occlusive disease, the respective mean values were 55.9% and 47.1 secs (P < .001). There was no statistically significant difference in the percentage velocity increases in repeat examinations. On the other hand, the recovery half time of the second postocclusive reactive hyperemia response was significantly shorter than the preceding one. The described technique proved to be very useful as a simple and objective procedure to screen and follow-up the development of arterial occlusive disease before and after reconstructive vascular surgery.