title: [Critical study of the measurement of pulsatile flow in arteritis patients. Value of non-invasive electromagnetic flowmetry].
abstract: Hemodynamics of an arteriopathy of lower limbs can be assessed by determination of arterial pressure and flow, the two variables being both useful and complementary. Arterial flow can be measured in two ways: mean arterial flow (plethysmographic or isotopic methods) cannot differentiate the different stages of arteriopathy sufficiently; a more specific method is by determination of pulsatile arterial flow. A non-invasive electromagnetic flowmeter method was developed for measuring pulsatile arterial flow in the upper third of the leg. Specificity in normal subjects was 100% in males and 98% in females, and selectivity 100% in stages II and III and 95% at stage I. The method is therefore specific, sensitive and very reproducible. Whereas pulsatile flow alters in a linear manner with distal arterial pressure when the latter is less than 100 mm Hg, this is no longer the case above this threshold. Calf flow, and particularly its relation to pulsatility measured at rest, is correlated with results of Strandness's test; it is not essential therefore to conduct an exercise tolerance test. Finally, the non-invasive electromagnetic flowmeter investigation is an excellent means of monitoring effects of certain drugs with vascular (vaso-active) or cardiac (nitroglycerin) activity, and of tobacco.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Boccalon
mesh_terms: D001167:Arteritis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001795:Blood Pressure Determination; D055590:Electromagnetic Phenomena; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D007554:Isotopes; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply*; D008297:Male; D010991:Plethysmography; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D012212:Rheology
chemical_list: D007554:Isotopes
vernacular_title: Etude critique de la mesure d'un débit pulsatile chez l'artéritique. Intérêt de la débitmétrie électromagnétique non sanglante.