J Korean Soc Med Ultrasound.  2000 Sep;19(3):215-221.

Doppler Spectrum of Superficial Femoral Artery in Patients with Occlusive Arterial Disease of Lower Extremity: Comparison with Angiography

• Jae HJ
• Koh YH
• Kim KW
• Kim HB
• Jung JW
• Park JH

Abstract

PURPOSE
To compare the Doppler waveform of superficial femoral artery (SFA) with the angiographic findings according to the location and severity of occlusive arterial disease of lower extremity.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We examined 32 lower extremities in 20 patients (M:F=18:2, Age:37-86, Mean age: 62) with the occlusive arterial disease of lower extremity using Doppler sonography and angiography. We classified them into 6 groups according to the location and severity of arterial stenosis or occlusion on angiography; steno-sis < 50% proximal to SFA (n=4), stenosis > 50% proximal to SFA (n=5), total occlusion proximal to SFA (n=5), stenosis > 50% or occlusion in the distal SFA or popliteal artery (n=8), stenosis > 50% or occlusion below trifur-cation (n=4), stenosis > 50% or occlusion in the proximal to SFA and distal to SFA (n=6). The Doppler wave-forms of SFA were retrospectively analyzed to the 6 groups classified by the angiographic findings.
RESULTS
Normal triphasic pattern (3/4) of SFA was preserved in cases with stenosis < 50% proximal to SFA. Biphasic pattern without diastolic flow (3/5) was seen in cases with stenosis > 50% proximal to SFA. Pulsus tar-dus et parvus pattern (3/5) was observed in the total occlusion proximal to SFA. High resistive pattern without early diastolic reversal flow (6/8) was present in stenosis > 50% or occlusion in the distal SFA or popliteal artery. Triphasic (2/4) or biphasic pattern with absent diastolic flow (2/4) was detected in stenosis > 50% or occlusion in the lower than trifurcation. The waveform was variable in the cases with stenosis > 50% or occlusion in the proximal and distal lesion.
CONCLUSION
The Doppler waveform of SFA in the occlusive arterial disease of the lower extremity was variable. However, it tends to show pulsus tardus et parvus pattern in the total occlusion proximal to SFA and high resis-tive pattern with absent early diastolic reversal in stenosis > 50% or occlusion in the distal SFA or popliteal artery.

MeSH Terms

Angiography*
Constriction, Pathologic
Femoral Artery*
Humans
Lower Extremity*
Popliteal Artery
Retrospective Studies