Ankle Brachial Index

The ankle brachial index (ABI) is a noninvasive test used to determine a patient’s risk for peripheral artery disease, a condition that involves a narrowing of the arteries in the leg and can lead to a heart attack or stroke.

The Ankle Brachial Index (ABI) uses a Doppler device to detect blood flow within the ankle and arm, and then compares these two results to properly assess a patient’s risk. Blood pressure that is lower in the leg than in the arm may be a sign of a blocked artery.

Recent studies in the AMA Journal recognize the usefulness and value of ABI testing for the evaluation of cardiovascular risk. The study states these tests are under-utilized in routine clinical practice because:

• Most clinicians are not aware that a low ABI is a marker of cardiovascular risk
• It is perceived as a specialist test
• Most clinicians would not know how to perform the test

Our service will accurately perform this test and enable your practice to treat the patient in the most efficacious manner.

Indications:

• Peripheral artery disease
• Deep vein thrombosis
• Arterial trauma
• Aneurysm, pseudoaneurysm and arterial-venous fistula
• Carotid occlusive disease
• Abdominal aneurysm
• Assessment of patients with documented arterial disease
• Renal vascular insufficiency.
• Evaluation or follow-up of patients with claudication, ischemic rest pain, and/or arterial ulceration
• Diabetes with peripheral circulatory disorder
• Pre-procedure assessment for planning of intervention
• Follow-up to determine technical adequacy of surgical intervention, i.e., post angioplasty and/or stent placement
• Follow-up of bypass grafts to detect intrinsic stenosis or progression of disease, which may threaten graft patency
• Absent or diminished distal or pedal pulse
• Skin or nail infections
• Skin color changes or ulcerations
• Distal extremity hair loss
• Gangrene
• Extreme weakness or fatigue
• Vasomotor instability
• Numbness