The influence of total knee arthroplasty on lower limb blood flow
Scriven, M.W.; Fligelstone, L.J.; Oshodi, T.O.; Stavri, G.; Pugh, N.; Lane, I.F.
Journal of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh 41(5): 323-324
1996
ISSN/ISBN: 0035-8835 PMID: 8908958 Document Number: 464787
Ischaemic complications of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) are unusual and tend to occur in patients with peripheral vascular disease (PVD). A prospective study was undertaken to investigate the effect of TKA on blood flow in patients without clinical evidence of PVD. Ankle brachial index (ABI) did not alter post-operatively and no changes in arterial waveforms were found. Unless there is clinical evidence of PVD, TKA under tourniquet control is therefore very unlikely to cause ischaemic complications.