Morphometric variability of the femoral artery access window in relation to profunda femoris artery origin: a cadaveric study with clinical implications for femoral vascular access

BACKGROUND: The femoral artery (FA) is a key site for femoral vascular access, but the length of the arterial segment available for access may vary with the level of profunda femoris artery (PFA) origin. This study evaluated the morphometric variability of the FA access window in relation to the PFA origin and described arterial caliber at fixed measurement points. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This descriptive cadaveric study included 20 lower limbs from 10 adult Caucasian formalin-fixed cadavers. The FA access window was defined as the segment of the femoral artery between the inguinal ligament (IL) and the proximal margin of the PFA origin. Three fixed points were analyzed: P1, P5 and P10, located 1 cm, 5 cm and 10 cm below the IL. Each point was classified as within the window or distal to the PFA origin. External arterial diameter was measured at each point. RESULTS: Mean femoral artery access window length was 4.48 ± 2.02 cm, ranging from 0.97 to 9.81 cm. A short access window was present in 4/20 limbs, an intermediate access window in 11/20, and a long access window in 5/20. P1 was within the window in 19/20 limbs, P5 in 5/20, and P10 in none. Mean arterial diameter was 10.25 ± 2.22 mm within the window and 8.46 ± 1.31 mm distal to the PFA origin. CONCLUSIONS: The FA access window showed marked variability. The 5-cm point was distal to the PFA origin in most specimens, indicating that fixed-distance assumptions do not reliably identify the FA access window.