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How is the ankle-brachial index (ABI) calculated and what does an abnormal ABI indicate?
The ankle-brachial index (ABI) is calculated by dividing the systolic ankle pressure by the systolic brachial pressure. An ABI of 1 or more is considered normal, while an abnormal ABI indicates arterial disease, confirming vascular causes for ischemic pain in the legs and conditions like intermittent claudication.
Key points
- ABI is a noninvasive test to evaluate arterial status in the lower extremities.
- A blood pressure cuff is placed above the malleolus and another over the brachial artery.
- A Doppler probe measures systolic pressures at the ankle and arm.
- Normal ABI is 1 or more; abnormal results suggest arterial disease.
- Abnormal ABI can indicate ischemic pain or intermittent claudication.
Source:Medical-surgical nursing: concepts and practice by Dallred ...· Care of Patients With Hypertension and Peripheral Vascular Disease· p. 688–697
Medical-surgical nursing: concepts and practice by Dallred ...
Holly Stromberg & Carol Dallred & Susan C. deWit
3 EDITION