Doppler Ultrasound Diagnosis and Classification as an Alternative To Arteriography

Continuous wave (c-w) Doppler shift ultrasound techniques for evaluating obstructive disease of lower limb arteries has been compared with arteriography in a single blind trial. The non-invasive ultrasound diagnostic technique agreed with arteriography in 83 out of 84 arterial segments examined. The ultrasound parameters measured can be assembled to give a classification of three groups, a patent artery, a partly obstructed artery, and a totally obstructed artery with varying degrees of collateral development. There are subdivisions within the groupings related to the degree and distribution of lesions. The ultrasound system has a number of practical advantages as an alternative method of screening compared to arteriography.