The results of arterial reconstruction utilizing the profunda femoris artery in the treatment of rest pain and pre-gangrene.

Arterial reconstruction utilizing the profunda femoris artery was performed for rest pain and pre-gangrene in 45 limbs. The preoperative mean ankle arterial pressure index of 0-21 (s.d. 0-12) was increased to 0-52 (s.d. 0-16) in the 22 limbs salvaged by the reconstruction. In 38 limbs a proximal reconstruction was necessary in addition to profundaplasty. At a mean follow-up time of 15-4 months 41-6 per cent of the 36 patients were dead.