Study of Peripheral Vascular Disease in Patients with Diabetic Foot using Doppler Ultrasound

ABSTRACT

Objective: The objective of the study was to determine the extent of vasculopathy in patients with diabetic foot using Dopplerultrasound scanning.Methodology: This descriptive study was carried out in surgical wards SS Medical College and SGMH Rewa from June 1,2017, to May 31, 2018. All patients having diabetic foot complications including abscess formation, cellulitis, ulceration, andgangrene were included in the study after taking informed consent. Peripheral pulses such as posterior tibial, dorsalis pedis,and popliteal arteries were checked. The presence of vasculopathy was checked with Doppler scanning of dorsalis pedis artery,posterior tibial artery, and popliteal artery. The data were collected on a pro forma that was especially designed for this study.Results: A total of 115 patients were included in this study. Out of total cases of the diabetic foot, 21% of cases peripheralpulses were not palpable, 30% of cases were weakly palpable, and in 50% of cases were palpable. In right affected limb outof 66 affected limb, peripheral pulses were palpable in 45% of cases, weakly palpable in 32% of cases, and absent in 23% ofcases and left affected limb out of 49 affected limb peripheral pulses were palpable in 55% of cases, weakly palpable in 26%of cases, and absent in 19% of cases, with a male preponderance.Conclusion: This study shows that vasculopathy is a strong independent risk factor in the development of diabetic foot lesions.The usual symptoms and signs of lower limb ischemia may not be present and indeed may be misleading in diabetic foot disease.