[Hemodynamic study by pulsed ultrasonic velocimetry of axillo-femoral bypass]

Blood flow and the diameter of superficial vessels may be assessed non-invasively by pulsed doppler ultrasonography. Preoperative and follow-up studies were performed in 15 patients with Stage IV occlusive arterial disease undergoing axillo-femoral bypass operations. Blood flow and vessel diameter were measured in the femoral and humeral arteries and in the prosthetic bypass graft. There was no significant difference in flow in the humeral artery after bypass (35 cc/min). The femoral artery diameter was 0.36 cm and average flow was 47 +/- 30 cc/min. These results were compared to those obtained in 12 healthy controls (femoral artery diameter 0.62 +/- 0.05 cm; flow 126 cc/min) and in 29 patients with Stage II occlusive arterial disease with intermittent claudication (femoral artery diameter 0.47 +/- 0.08 cm; flow 87 cc/min). The average flow in the bypass one month after operation was 211 +/- 87 cc/min, falling to 124 +/- 53 cc/min at three months. These results are compared to those previously reported measured with electromagnetic flow counters at operation (273 cc/min). Finally, the internal diameter of the graft measured by ultrasound was compared with the true ex-vivo diameter and a constant difference of -2.12 +/- 0.94 mm was found. These results show the value of pulsed doppler ultrasonography in the assessment of peripheral blood flow for the follow-up of patients undergoing revascularisation procedures.