Origin of Femoro-popliteal Occlusions

Abstract

Comparative measurements of 295 femoro-popliteal occlusions in the bilateral femoral arteriograms of 264 male patients with intermittent claudication have been undertaken. Femoro-popliteal occlusions appear to originate at three principal sites: In the adductor region in 70% of cases ; in the popliteal artery above the level of the knee-joint—12% ; and at the popliteal bifurcation—12%. Plaque-formation is common at these sites and is uncommon in the proximal part of the superficial femoral artery and in the popliteal artery below the level of the knee-joint. The distribution of large collateral branches is similar to the distribution curve for occlusions, and it is believed that there is a causal relationship between the sites of branching and the development of plaques and occlusions. In the adductor region occlusion may be determined by the adductor tendon, by the S-shaped configuration of the artery in this region, and by the large number of branches at this level. The distribution of lesions in the popliteal artery above the level of the knee-joint is diffuse and may be due to the development of lesions at the summit of the popliteal curves or to the development of lesions at the origin of large branches. © 1965, British Medical Journal Publishing Group. All rights reserved.