Profunda Popliteal Collateral Index (PPCI)

Parameters:

(1) above the knee systolic blood pressure in mm Hg

(2) below the knee systolic blood pressure in mm Hg

PPCI =

= ((above the knee systolic blood pressure) - (below the knee systolic blood pressure)) / (above the knee systolic blood pressure)

Interpretation:

• Ideally there should be little arterial resistance over the distances involved, and the PPCI should be close to 0.

• In the presence of occlusion in the superficial femoral artery, a low PPCI is associated with good collateral circulation through the profunda femoral artery to supply areas beyond an occlusion.

• With severe atherosclerosis there may be significant resistance and poor collateral circulation, with a much lower systolic blood pressure below the knee.

• A PPCI > 0.5 indicates severe vascular disease and is associated with profundoplasty failure.

• Boren et al found that patients with successful profundaplasties had a mean PPCI of 0.18.