Analysis of the Profunda Femoris Artery with Superficial Femoral Artery Occlusive Disease

The profunda femoris artery is a major collateral vessel of the lower limb that aids in maintaining a viable limb in the face of femoropopliteal occlusive disease. The status of the profunda femoris artery is particularly important in regard to the indications and choice of lower limb vascular reconstructive surgeries such as profundaplasty. The aim of this study was to delineate the morphology of the profunda femoris artery in patients with superficial femoral artery occlusive disease (SFAO), the most common form of lower limb arterial insufficiency. Fifty-six patients with lower limb arterial disease and SFAO (mean age of 59 years; male/female, 7/1) were examined for the pattern and severity of concomitant profunda femoris artery involvement. The levels of distal arterial run-off, if present, were determined in the limbs with complete SFAO. There were 21 diabetic and 35 non-diabetic patients; a total of 63 sides had SFAO. Diabetics had more frequent (84% versus 42.1% for non-diabetics) and multisegmental/diffuse profunda femoris stenosis while non-diabetics more often than not had unisegmental and short lesions at the origin or proximal one third of the artery. In limbs with complete SFAO, arterial run-offs were present in 60.5% in non-diabetic patients while in 81.8% in diabetic patients. We believe that this information may be useful for clinicians and vascular surgeons who deal with lower limb arterial disease.