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Quantitative assessment of peripheral occlusive arterial diseases by color duplex sonography and blood endothelin

I Kitano1, T Sugimoto, M Okada

  • 1Department of Surgery, Kobe University School of Medicine.

The Kobe Journal of Medical Sciences
|November 26, 1999
PubMed

Insights

New ankle-brachial index (AVI) and ankle-brachial flow index (AFI) values correlate better with peripheral occlusive disease symptoms than ankle-brachial pressure index (API). Endothelin-1 (ET-1) levels indicate disease severity.

Area of Science:

  • Vascular Medicine
  • Diagnostic Imaging
  • Biomarkers

Background:

  • Peripheral occlusive diseases (PODs) require accurate quantitative evaluation.
  • Existing diagnostic methods like ankle-brachial pressure index (API) have limitations in assessing disease severity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate peripheral occlusive diseases quantitatively using color duplex sonography.
  • To assess the utility of new ankle-brachial index (AVI) and ankle-brachial flow index (AFI) values.
  • To investigate the relationship between blood endothelin-1 (ET-1) levels and clinical symptoms of PODs.

Main Methods:

  • Color duplex sonography was performed to measure systolic velocities and flow volumes of lower and upper extremity arteries.
  • Ankle-brachial index (AVI) and ankle-brachial flow index (AFI) were calculated.
  • Blood endothelin-1 (ET-1) levels were measured and correlated with clinical Fontaine classification and symptoms.

Main Results:

  • AVI and AFI values decreased progressively with increasing Fontaine class (I to IV).
  • Low AVI values were observed in limbs with Fontaine class > II and normal API.
  • Higher ET-1 levels were found in Fontaine class III and IV, decreasing after revascularization.

Conclusions:

  • New AVI and AFI values demonstrate a stronger correlation with clinical symptoms of PODs compared to API.
  • Blood ET-1 levels are significantly elevated in severe PODs (Fontaine class III and IV) and decrease post-arterial reconstruction.
  • AVI, AFI, and ET-1 measurements may offer novel tools for identifying patients with PODs and assessing arteriosclerosis severity.
Abstract

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