Femoral and Popliteal Occlusive Vascular Disease: A Report on 143 Diabetic Patients

A five-year review of 143 diabetic patients with circulatory insufficiency of the lower extremity established: (1) The distal superficial femoral and the popliteal arteries demonstrated the greatest number of occlusions, whereas the collaterally important profunda femoris was found consistently patent. (2) Absence of pulses below the femorals carried insufficient quantitative prediction of radiographic collateral, or run off patterns. (3) Collaterals and major arterial run off below the knee were of equal prognostic value, the adequacy of either resulting in successful surgery twice more often than with poor or absent collaterals, respectively run off.