[Color duplex scanning in morphological and functional assessment of lower limb arterial occlusions]

The paper assesses a potential of color duplex scanning (CDS) in topical diagnosis of atherosclerosis-related lower limb arterial occlusions (LLAO). Benefits and drawbacks of CDS are compared with those of digital subtraction arteriography (DSA). The authors describe objective quantitative measurement of ischemic grade or lower limb chronic arterial insufficiency due to atherosclerosis-related occlusions according to the magnitude of resistance or Pourcelot index (RI). Comparative effectiveness of CDS and DSA are evaluated on the base of 100 patients (791 arterial segments) examination with subsequent calculation of CDS sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic accuracy and validity. Correlation is drawn between ischemic grade and RI in tibial and dorsal metatarsal arteries. It is concluded that CDS plays an important role in topical diagnosis of LLAO, in graft patency evaluation and decision for future interventions. CDS can be used for objective measurement of limb ischemic grade. RI value appears to be a valid criterion for functional assessment of lower limb ischemia. Yielded with the help of CDS anatomic and hemodynamic data restrict indications for invasive, costly and radiation-related DSA.