Color Doppler sonography of arteries associated with perforating veins

Background. It has been known for some time that perforating veins had associated perforating arteries. There has been no way to investigate these arteries preoperatively. The newer high resolution ultrasonic devices enable us to investigate these arteries. We are able to localize, determine the frequency, and measure the size of the arteries associated with perforating veins of the lower extremities. Methods. All patients were studied in our clinical vascular laboratory. Patients: 55 patients with different degrees of varicosities were studied. Measures: Each patient had their perforating veins and arteries investigated with a 7.5 MHz linear array transducer (Siemens, Type Elegra). Results. 73% of the 233 perforating veins identified had an associated perforating artery. No preferred localization of the perforating veins was noted. The number of location did not correlate with the presence or absence of incompetence of the veins. The perforating arteries were located in close proximity to the perforating veins but did not go far into the subcutaneous fat. The maximum systolic velocity was 12+/-8 cm/sec. Conclusions. The preoperative detection of perforating arteries associated with perforating veins is possible using a color Doppler scanner. Their pathophysiological function and its relation to bleeding complications, wound healing and ulcer healing can be studied using this tool.