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Asymptomatic Atherosclerosis pp 211–223Cite as

The Ankle Brachial Index

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Part of the book series: Contemporary Cardiology ((CONCARD))

Abstract

The ankle brachial index (ABI) is defined as the ratio of systolic blood pressures in the ankles to that in the arms. The arteries typically interrogated for calculating the ABI include the brachial arteries in the arms and the posterior tibial and/or dorsalis pedis arteries in the legs. Owing to physiologic considerations, the ratio of the pressures in the ankles to that in the legs is normally greater than 1.00. Values lower than this usually indicate significant flow-limiting atheroocclusive disease in the lower extremities. Previous studies have demonstrated the ABI to be a valid and reproducible method for detecting asymptomatic peripheral arterial disease (PAD) or confirming the presence of significant lower extremity atherosclerotic disease in those with symptoms consistent with intermittent claudication. Since it is simple, inexpensive, and noninvasive, the ABI is suitable for screening asymptomatic individuals and in community-based studies. As the measurement is typically highly reproducible, this technique can also be used in the clinical setting, including the vascular laboratory. In this chapter, we review the epidemiology of PAD with a focus on the use of the ABI for detecting this disease. The measurement techniques, methods of calculating, and interpretation of the ABI are discussed. We also describe the associations between the ABI and both prevalent and incident cardiovascular disease, as well as functional limitations. Finally, clinical considerations are provided.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA

    Matthew A. Allison

  2. Division of General Internal Medicine, Northwestern Medical Faculty Foundation, Chicago, IL, USA

    Mary M. McDermott

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  1. Matthew A. Allison
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  2. Mary M. McDermott
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  1. Endothelix, Inc., El Rio 8275, Houston, 77054, USA

    Morteza Naghavi

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Allison, M.A., McDermott, M.M. (2011). The Ankle Brachial Index. In: Naghavi, M. (eds) Asymptomatic Atherosclerosis. Contemporary Cardiology. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60327-179-0_15

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60327-179-0_15

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