RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the Digital Subtract Arteriography (DSA) characteristics of lower limb arterial diseases in patients with diabetic feet and to explore the correlation between DSA and Ankle-brachial index (ABI). METHODS: Fifty-two patients with diabetic feet were recruited in this study. ABI and DSA of bilateral lower extremities were examined to assess the severity of vasculopathy. The relationship between ABI and DSA was analyzed. RESULTS: ABI values for 91 lower extremities were obtained, with a mean of 0.73 +/- 10.43 (0.15-1.97), among which 19.8% ranged from 0.9 to 1.3, 69.2% were less than 0.9, and 11% were more than 1.3. Based on the integrated angiographic images, the arteries with < or = 50% degree of stenosis, 50%-99% degree of stenosis and occlusion comprised 49.5%, 22%, and 28.5% for femoral artery; 79.1%, 14.3%, and 6.6% for popliteal artery; 25.3%, 8.8%, and 65.9% for anterior tibial artery; 29.7%, 14.3%, and 56% for posterior tibial artery; 25.3%, 20.9%, and 53.8% for peroneal artery; and 54.9%, 14.3%, and 30.8% for dorsal pedis artery. Forty (50.5%) limbs had three or more above-mentioned arteries occluded simultaneously. The average vascular score was 8.5 +/- 4.3 with a range between 0 and 18. The spearman correlation analysis showed that ABI inversely correlated with artery stenosis score (r = -0. 588, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Arterial diseases of lower extremities in patients with diabetic feet are wide-spread, ranging from femoral artery to the dorsal pedis artery. Multiple segments of arteries are involved. Severe stenosis and occlusion are more common in anterior and posterial tibial arteries, and peroneal artery.