The diameter of the common femoral artery in healthy human:: Influence of sex, age, and body size

Purpose: To determine the relevance of dilatations of the common femoral artery (CPA), knowledge of the normal CPA diameter is essential. The diameter of the CPA in healthy male and female subjects of different ages was investigated. Methods: The diameter of the CPA was measured in 122 healthy volunteers (59 male, 63 female; 8 to 81 years of age) with echo-tracking B-mode ultrasound scan. The influence of age, sex, height, weight, body surface area (BSA), and systolic blood pressure was analyzed by means of a multiple regression model. Results: The CPA increased steadily in diameter throughout life. From 25 years onwards, the diameter was larger in men than in women. Significant correlations were found between the CPA diameter and weight (r = 0.58 and r = 0.57 in male and female subjects, respectively; P < .0001), height (r = 0.49 and r = 0.54 in male and female subjects, respectively; P < .0001), and BSA (r = 0.60 and r = 0.62 in male and female subjects, respectively; P < .0001). Age and BSA were used to create a model for prediction of the CPA diameter (r = 0.71 and r = 0.77 in male and female subjects, respectively; P < .0001). Conclusion: The diameter of the CFA increases with age, initially during growth but also in adults. This is related to age, body size, and sex-male subjects have larger arteries than female subjects. It is now possible to predict the normal CPA diameter, and nomograms that may be used in the study of aneurysmal disease are presented.