[Usefulness of doppler ultrasonography in diagnosing changes in atherosclerotic lesions in lower extremity arteries in hyperlipoproteinemia].

The purpose of this study was to establish the correlation between the intensity of atherosclerosis of the lower extremities found in the course of the Doppler examination, and type of hyperlipoproteinaemia. An attempt was undertaken to analyse the relation of the risk factors of obliterative atherosclerosis to the condition of the arteries in the lower extremities. 53 men at the age of 37 to 63 years (mean age 51 years) were examined. HLP type IIa, IIb, IV, was found in 16, 19, 18 patients respectively. The control group consisted of 30 healthy non-smoking men. The examination was performed using ACUSON 128 with a linear probe 5 and 7 MHz. The Doppler spectrum was registered from the external iliac, common femoral, superficial femoral, deep femoral and popliteal arteries. Simultaneously, a two-dimensional color picture of contrasted vessels, and the Doppler spectrum of blood velocity were recorded. Blood velocity spectrum was quantitatively assessed according to the classification suggested by Jager et al. The results of the Doppler examination confirmed the unfavourable influence of the so called risk factors on the progress of atherosclerosis, especially low serum concentration of HDL cholesterol and cigarette smoking. Besides, the examination has proved the possibility to diagnose even asymptomatic atherosclerotic lesions of the arteries of lower extremities.