Abstract
Fluorescein angiography (FA) was performed in 119 patients with peripheral arterial disease. In total 226 lower extremities were examined. The pattern of initial fluorescence distribution on the foot soles was classified, the vascular anatomy of the foot being borne in mind.
The distribution patterns were related to peripheral arterial pressures. At ankle pressure > 100 mm Hg and/or toe pressure >40 mm Hg the first fluorescence on the foot sole appeared equally often at all sites of the foot. At lower pressures the first fluorescence appeared less often at the distal part of the foot. Delayed fluorescence on the medial part of the foot corresponding to the distribution area of the medial plantar artery ("lateral pattern") was found in 24%, and delayed fluorescence corresponding to the distribution area of the lateral plantar artery ("medial pattern") was found in 10%. The frequency of medial or lateral distribution patterns was the same in feet with different levels of ankle pressure. In 26 % of the feet, delayed fluorescence was found in the area where the perforating artery from the dorsal pedal artery joins the plantar arcade between the medial and lateral plantar arteries, and 6 % had early fluorescence at this site with delayed fluorescence in the surrounding area. In 1 foot the pattern of initial fluorescence distribution was compared with the result of contrast angiography. Good correspondence was found between areas with delayed fluorescence in the FA pictures and areas where no contrast appeared in the main foot arteries on the angiogram.
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