A clinical evaluation of impedance rheography in peripheral arterial disease

The impedance rheograph has been shown to give values of blood flow consistent with a history of vascular insufficiency; normal limbs having a mean flow of 6.9 +/- 1.6 milliliters per minute per 100 milliliters of limb volume and diseased limbs having a proportionately reduced flow. The most reduced flow was found in those with rest pain or severe claudication, 1.7 +/- 0.8 milliliters per minute per 100 milliliters of limb volume. It is suggested that this technique may be useful clinically in assessing patients before treatment and, subsequently, as an objective evaluation of that treatment.