External iliac artery blood flow in patients with arteriosclerosis obliterans

Blood flow in the left external iliac artery was measured by means of a densitometric technique in 21 patients with arteriosclerosis of the lower extremities and in 21 controls. Normal flow volumes were (mean +/- S.D.) 604 +/- 104 ml./min. for males and 478 +/- ml./min. for females. Flow volume was significantly lower in the patients with ischemia of the legs. There was no correlation between flow volume through the artery and the degree of stenosis at its narrowest point. The diameter of the iliac artery and the flow volume were significantly larger in males than in females; however, flow velocity was significantly larger in females.