Diagnosis and assessment of severity in diabetic peripheral arterial occlusive disease

In order to ensure a valid clinical functional evaluation of peripheral isc haemia in diabetic patients with arterial occlusive disease we have to cons ider special pathophysiological features. In view of the limited reliabilit y of standardized Doppler ankle pressure measurements our investigations ai med at evaluation the value of alternative diagnostic possibilities. By mea ns of metatarsal Doppler waveform analysis, photoplethysmographic toe press ure measurements and transcutaneous pO(2)-determinations the severity of pe ripheral ischaemia in diabetic patients could be quantified. Based on a ini tial thorough physical examination there is a need for these measurements i n order to evaluate the ischaemic component of the diabetic foot syndrome a nd recognize the critical limb ischaemia.