title: [Use of the ankle/arm index obtained by echo-Doppler as a diagnostic method in peripheral arteriopathies in primary care].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the use of the ankle/arm index obtained by echo-doppler as a method of assessing patients with a clinical picture suggesting peripheral arteriopathy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sama de Langreo Health Centre (Asturias).
  
  
  METHODS
  83 patients (166 cases) between 23 and 90, who attended for treatment and had a possible diagnosis of peripheral arteriopathy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The existence of pedal and posterior tibial pulses was explored by echo-doppler; then the arm/ankle index was calculated. Data on age, sex and concomitant pathologies were collected. The pedal pulse was negative in 11.4%, the posterior tibial in 9.2%. The arm/ankle index was significantly lower in males (0.86) than in women (1.07) (Student's t test 5.11, p < 0.0001). It was lower in diabetics (0.896) than in non-diabetics (0.95), but this was not significant (Student's t 0.99, p < 0.323).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Echo-doppler measurement of the ankle-arm index is confirmed as a valid instrument to assist diagnosis and assessment of the severity of ischaemia in Primary Care patients whose clinical picture suggests peripheral arteriopathy.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Salud de Sama, Asturias.
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Pérez Suárez
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Díaz Escandón
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000842:Ankle / Q000098:blood supply*; D001132:Arm / Q000098:blood supply*; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007511:Ischemia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011320:Primary Health Care; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler
vernacular_title: Uso del índice tobillo/brazo (t/b) obtenido por eco-Doppler como método diagnóstico en arteriopatías periféricas en atención primaria.