DOPPLER SONOGRAPHIC ASSESSMENT OF BLOOD-F LOW DIRECTION IN DISTAL OBLITERATION OF THE ARTERIES OF THE LOWER LEG

It is necessary to observe the direction of the blood flow for measure ment of the ankle pressure by the Dopplermethod. Obliteration of the a nterior tibial artery can be compensated by collaterals from the poste rior tibial artery. Through this the blood flow is reversed in the dor salis pedis artery. If this possibility is disregarded, the pressure o f the anterior tibial artery will yield false data. The situation of t he blood flow can be clarified by a compression test of the posterior tibial artery. This also applies to obliterations of the other arterie s of the ankle.