Improved systolic function after PTCA can be estimated by femoral arterial Doppler

The effect of coronary angioplasty to the post exertional femoral arterial pulse was analyzed in a prospective trial. In 26 patients 30 coronary stenoses could be treated. Narrowed lumen diameter dropped from 85.5% ±8.2 to 34.6% ±10.7 (P<0.0001). Patients with a residual coronary artery stenosis of <60% (group A, n=15) were compared to those with incomplete revascularisation (stenoses >60%, group B, n=11). Post exertional doppler criteria differed between both groups: Peak velocity in group A was 86.08 cm/s ±17.8, in group B 72.9 cm/s ±17, mean velocity 32.06 cm/s ±12.5 versus 23.6 cm/s ±10.3 acceleration or dV/dt 813.5 cm/s2 versus 722 cm/s2 ±164. Statistical significant pre to post postexertional findings improved only in group A (P<0.01, peak velocity, P<0.05 mean velocity and dV/dt). It is concluded that patients with still-existing exertional myocardial ischemia can be distinguished from those without hemodynamic relevant stenoses by means of a simple noninvasive Doppler analysis of femoral arterial pulse.