Colour duplex ultrasonographic imaging and provocation of popliteal artery compression

Abstract

Objectives: Provoked compression of the popliteal artery by active plantar flexion of the foot is still mainstay in the assessment of the popliteal artery entrapment syndrome. In this study, the effects of several provocation manoeuvres of the foot on the flow patterns of the popliteal arteries of normal healthy volunteers were evaluated.

Design: Experimental study among healthy volunteers in a vascular laboratory.

Materials and methods: The popliteal artery of 16 healthy volunteers was studied with Duplex scanning in rest and during active and passive plantar and dorsal flexion of the foot.

Results: Active plantar flexion was the only movement that influenced popliteal artery flow patterns. Changes were found in 27 arteries (85%), consisting of either a complete occlusion (n = 19, 59%), a significant lumen reduction (n = 4, 13%) or a low flow state (n = 4, 13%).

Conclusion: Compression of the popliteal artery by active plantar flexion of the foot is a physiologic phenomenon and its value in the assessment of patients suspected of the popliteal artery entrapment syndrome is limited.