[Duplex ultrasonic examination of arteries of the lower extremities--comparison with angiography]

The authors compared the results of duplex ultrasonic examination of 86 sections of the ileo-femoro-popliteal portion of the arterial circulation with angiographic findings. The correlation between angiographically and ultrasonically assessed degrees of stenosis was close and highly significant (r = 0.895, p = 0.001, y = 0.782x + 17.382). The sensitivity of duplex sonography when assessing significant stenoses (60% of the arterial lumen or more) was 100%, the specificity 76.5%, the probable positive value 75%, the probable negative value 100%, the probable positive ratio 3, the reliability of the test 86%. With regard to these results the authors recommend to make a non-invasive duplex ultrasonic examination of the arteries of the lower extremities in all echocardiographic laboratories and to include it in the algorithm of angiological examinations before angiography.