Prediction of amputation wound healing. Roles of Doppler ultrasound and digit photoplethysmography
R. W. Barnes, B. Thornhill, L. Nix, S. E. Rittgers and G. Turley
Segmental limb blood pressures (BPs) measured by Doppler ultrasound and
digit photoplethysmography were used to define hemodynamic correlates of
wound healing in 122 lower-extremity amputations for ischemia. Healing of
digit or transmetatarsal amputations were influenced by the presence of
diabetes and correlated better with digit pulsation and BP than with ankle
pressure. Healing of below-knee amputation did not correlate with segmental
limb BPs. In the absence of an absolute threshold to predict wound healing
or failure, caution is urged in using hemodynamic indices to select the
level of amputation of arterial insufficiency.
