Abstract

Peripheral Arterial Disease & Ankle Brachial Pressure Index (ABPI)

Author(s): Muhammad Akunjee, Hafiz Syed

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a condition that affects approximately 12-14% of the general population. As many as 75% of affected individuals are asymptomatic and consequently this condition goes largely under diagnosed and untreated. However, once a diagnosis of PAD has been made, regardless of symptoms, patients have a two to three times increased risk of mortality from MI’s and strokes. Due to the association of peripheral vascular disease with coronary and cerebral vascular diseases, early detection of this condition is essential in order to reduce morbidity and mortality. One method in doing this is to calculate the ABPI (Ankle Brachial Pressure Index). Unfortunately, calculating the ABPI using different techniques can produce significantly different results. This paper will attempt to demonstrate how one should obtain an ABPI competently and how one would interpret the results.