Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 10, 2026
Fetal Echocardiography and Pulsed-wave Doppler Ultrasound in a Rabbit Model of Intrauterine Growth Restriction
Published on: June 29, 2013
Colour-coded duplex imaging and dependent Doppler ultrasonography in the assessment of cruropedal vessels
M J McCarthy1, S Nydahl, T Hartshorne
1Department of Surgery, University of Leicester, UK.
Insights
Non-invasive ultrasonography, including color-coded duplex imaging and Doppler insonation, accurately assesses leg arteries for femorodistal bypass. This method effectively replaces the need for diagnostic arteriography in patients with leg ischemia.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Surgery
- Diagnostic Imaging
- Medical Ultrasonography
Background:
- Diagnostic arteriography is traditionally used for assessing leg ischemia before femorodistal bypass.
- Ultrasonography has been proposed as a non-invasive alternative to arteriography.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the accuracy of non-invasive ultrasonography (color-coded duplex and Doppler insonation) in preoperative assessment for femorodistal bypass.
- To determine if these non-invasive methods can replace diagnostic arteriography.
Main Methods:
- Thirty-seven patients with critical lower limb ischemia undergoing femorodistal bypass were assessed preoperatively.
- Preoperative color-coded duplex and Doppler insonation findings were compared with intraoperative arteriograms and surgical outcomes.
Main Results:
- Excellent agreement (kappa = 1.0) was found between ultrasonography and arteriography/surgical findings for predicting the optimal run-off vessel.
- High agreement (kappa = 0.85) was observed for determining the distal anastomosis site.
- Very good agreement (kappa = 1.0) was noted for assessing pedal arch patency and the primary feeding vessel.
Conclusions:
- Non-invasive color-coded duplex imaging and Doppler insonation accurately assess leg arteries before femorodistal bypass.
- These ultrasonographic techniques can obviate the need for preoperative arteriography in this patient population.
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 (kappa = 1.0) and the site of the distal anastomosis (kappa = 0.85; 95 per cent confidence interval 0.71-1.0). There was also very good agreement between dependent Doppler insonation and intraoperative arteriography (kappa = 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.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Equipments Used To Measure Blood Pressure
This invasive approach involves cannulating a peripheral artery. During each cardiac contraction, pressure generates mechanical motion within the catheter, transmitted through rigid, fluid-filled tubing to a transducer. This transducer converts mechanical motion into electrical signals displayed as waveforms on a monitor. An automatic flushing system prevents blood backflow. Due to the potential risk of unexpected arterial blood loss, this method is primarily used in intensive...
01:19Assessing Blood pressure using a doppler ultrasound
Pre-Procedural Guidelines for Doppler Ultrasound Blood Pressure Assessment:
Preparation of Equipment:
01:20Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System II:Types of Echocardiography
Types of Echocardiography
Transthoracic Echocardiography (TTE)
TTE is the most common type of echocardiogram which involves placing a transducer on the patient's chest, emitting sound waves to create heart images. TTE is invaluable for evaluating the heart's size, structure, and motion, making it particularly useful for diagnosing...
01:21Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation