Peripheral resistance measurement in the assessment of severe peripheral vascular disease

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Abstract
Thirty-seven patients undergoing femoropopliteal, fifteen undergoing femorodistal reconstruction and seven below knee amputees were subjected to prospective measurement of peripheral resistance. Resistance was significantly higher in the amputation and femorodistal groups than in the femoropopliteal group (P < 0.03 and P < 0.005 at 76 ml/min). In the femoropopliteal group patients with three vessel runoff had a significantly lower resistance than those with two or single vessel runoff (P < 0.01). In the femoropopliteal group resistance of patent grafts at four months was significantly less than thrombosed grafts (P < 0.006). Patients with a resistance 1200 mPRU (P < 0.05). Taking all the failed grafts there was a significant correlation between graft patency and resistance (P < 0.003). Resistance measurement has been shown to correlate with the severity of the disease, with runoff defined radiographically and with graft patency. In a simplified form it may prove a useful adjunct to other methods of assessment in patients with distal disease.