What is the ankle pressure index?

The brachial pressure of the ankle pressure (ABPI) is a ratio that is calculated for the patient screening for peripheral artery disease (PAD). It compares the blood pressure taken in a brachial arm of the arm with blood pressure measured in ankle or leg. This test is painless and non -invasive and can be a useful diagnostic tool if the doctor suspects that the patient may have peripheral arteries. There are some patients in whom this test can return false negative. The blood pressure of the ankle is divided by the blood pressure of the arm to return the value. The values ​​of 1.0 to 1.1 are indicators that the patient does not have a disease of peripheral arteries. As the ankle pressure index drops below 1.0, the patient shows that the patient may be at risk or may have peripheral arterial disease, depending on how low reading is.

This test is usually performed first when the patient is at rest, and then the patient is asked to make someOlik minutes used a treadmill to keep the test to repeat. In patients who do not have peripheral arteries, values ​​should be the same at second reading. If the patient is threatened or has peripheral arteries, the ankle pressure index on the treadmill will be lower, showing that blood has difficulty reaching legs.

There are several conditions that can cover the test results. This includes an undiagnosed peripheral arterial disease in the arm, causing to read blood pressure in the arm lower than it would be in a healthy person. Conditions that lead to hardening or calcification of arteries can also intervene because they lead to increased blood presufed in their feet and thus return a false negative result.

If this diagnostic test reveals that the patient is endangered or developed by partial blocking in the arteries that supplies the legs, the doctor may discuss treatment options. In patients who are simply identified as a risk with an ankle brachial pressure index, some canTeré lifestyle changes to solve the problem and prevent the onset of vascular disease. Patients who are already experiencing arterial blockages are available for blockage treatment.