RELIABILITY OF COLOR-CODED IMAGING OF LOW ER LEG ARTERIES IN RELATIONTO STAGES OF PERIPHERAL ARTERY DISEASE

We examined the accuracy of colour flow detection of lower limb arteri es in relation to Fontaine's criteria of obstructed peripheral circula tion. Assessments were conducted in relation to stages I and II as wel l as to stages III and IV and compared to the corresponding i. a.-DSA: On comparing the total of all ultrasound results in stages (I-IV) wit h those of arteriography (92 calf arteries) we found a sensitivity bet ween 80 and 90% and a specificity between 90 and 97%. Results did not differ from these values in the subgroups Fontaine II-IV. Especially i n the stages III/IV in comparison to stage Il we could not find any di sadvantages of colour coded vessel imaging. With sufficient reliabilit y we succeeded in demonstrating calf arteries in endangitis (Burger's disease) and in diabetics with mediasclerosis.