Toe pulse wave analysis in obliterating atherosclerosis.

photoplethysmographic measurements were carried out in 61 limbs with angiographically documented obliterating atherosclerosis (OA) and in 72 limbs with OA. The distance P was measured between the ascending and descending limbs of the pulse wave at the border of the upper and middle thirds of the amplitude. To standardize the measurements the P value was divided by the length L of the pulse wave (P/L ratio). Using 95% confidence limit in the group of healthy young individuals, 80.8% of the lower limbs with obliterating atherosclerosis without occlusion (OAWO) and 100% of those with complete occlusion (OAWCO) were revealed. In the group of healthy individuals (average age 50 years), 69.8% of lower limbs with OAWO and 100% of those with OAWCO were found. This method showed the higher number of detected OAWO when compared with peripheral systolic pressure measurements.