Publication:

Role of doppler ultrasound in assessing the severity of peripheral arterial diseases of the lower limb in a tertiary care hospital: a cross-sectional study

Background Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a chronic vascular disorder characterized by reduced blood flow to the lower limbs, often leading to claudication, rest pain or critical limb ischemia. Accurate assessment of disease severity is crucial for treatment planning. Doppler ultrasound offers a non-invasive method for evaluating arterial stenosis and occlusion, yet its role in grading PAD severity is underutilized in many tertiary care settings.

Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Radiodiagnosis, Jubilee Mission Medical College and Research Centre, Kerala, from January to June 2023. Thirty participants aged>18 years with clinically suspected lower limb ischemia were evaluated. Doppler ultrasound was performed on 240 arterial segments using a high-frequency linear transducer (10–12 MHz) to assess waveform patterns, peak systolic velocity and stenosis grading. Clinical severity was recorded using the Rutherford classification. Data were analyzed using SPSS 26.0, with chi-square tests applied to evaluate associations between Doppler grading and clinical severity; p<0.05 was considered significant.

Results Participants were predominantly male (86.7%) and above 60 years of age (56.7%). Diabetes and hypertension were present in 66.7% and 56.7% of participants, respectively. The superficial femoral artery exhibited the highest proportion of moderate stenosis (60%). Doppler grading significantly correlated with Rutherford stages, with advanced stages (4–6) showing higher proportions of Grade 3 and 4 stenosis (Chi-square = 41.8, p=0.001).

Conclusions Doppler ultrasound effectively correlates with clinical severity in PAD and allows non-invasive assessment of arterial stenosis, aiding risk stratification and treatment planning. Its use can improve outcomes, particularly in settings where patients present with advanced disease.