Why do abi

Typical risk factors for PAD include:. Additionally, a study found benefits in conducting a post-exercise ABI test on people who had suspected PAD but normal test results while at rest. According to the U. You lie down for a few minutes before the test begins. A technician will take your blood pressure in both arms and in both ankles, using an inflatable cuff and a handheld ultrasound device to hear your pulse. The technician will start by putting a blood pressure cuff on one arm, usually the right arm.

They will then rub a little gel on your arm right above your brachial pulse, which is just above the inside crease of your elbow. As the blood pressure cuff inflates and then deflates, the tech will use the ultrasound device or Doppler probe to listen for your pulse and record the measurement.

This process is then repeated on your left arm. Next come your ankles. The process is very similar to the one performed on your arms.

You will remain in the same reclined position. The tech will inflate and deflate a blood pressure cuff around one ankle while using the ultrasound device to listen for your pulse in the arteries that supply blood to your foot. The process will then be repeated on the other ankle. After the technician has completed all the measurements, those numbers will be used to calculate the ankle brachial index for each leg. The ABI test can: Diagnose PAD and prevent its progression and complications Identify people who have a high risk for coronary artery disease Things that can increase your risk for PAD include: Smoking Diabetes Being older than age 70 High levels of lipids in your blood Known plaque formation in other arteries, like the coronary arteries in your heart Abnormal pulses in your lower legs Being younger than age 50, with diabetes and one additional risk factor, such as smoking or high blood pressure Your healthcare provider also might recommend an ABI if you have symptoms of PAD, like pain in the legs with activity.

What are the risks for an ankle brachial index test? How do I get ready for an ankle brachial index test? What happens during an ankle brachial index test? In general, during your ABI test: You will lie flat during the procedure. A technician will place a blood pressure cuff just above your ankle.

The technician will place an ultrasound probe over the artery. He or she will use this to listen to the blood flow through the vessel. The technician will inflate the blood pressure cuff. He or she will increase the pressure until the blood stops flowing through the vessel. The technician will slowly release the pressure in the cuff.

The systolic pressure is the pressure at which the blood flow is heard again. That is the part of the blood pressure measurement needed for the ABI. The technician will repeat this process on your other ankle and on both of your arms. A computerized vascular diagnostic laboratory database was queried for symptomatic outpatients referred for measurement of segmental blood pressure, the ABI or pulse volume recordings by physicians not specialized in the evaluation and management of patients with peripheral vascular disease.

Of patients undergoing outpatient physiologic arterial evaluations between February 1, and July 31, , met these inclusion criteria. Data recorded included resting ABI, ABI following treadmill exercise test and the presence of abnormal pulse volume recordings.

Among studies, resting ABI values were normal in Show references Hoffman R, et al. Peripheral artery disease. In: Hematology: Basic Principles and Practice. Philadelphia, Pa. Accessed Aug. Kolluri R, et al. Peripheral artery disease: What hospitalists need to know for effective management. Hospital Medicine Clinics.

Symptoms and diagnosis of PAD. American Heart Association. Peripheral artery disease adult. Rochester, Minn.