Utilizing the ankle brachial index in clinical practice.
The ankle brachial index is one of many tests that can be used to indirectly assess lower extremity peripheral blood flow. This article reviews ankle brachial index technique and presents some of its applications for clinicians and researchers based on a literature review. The ankle brachial index is relatively simple and inexpensive and can be performed in both clinical and home care settings. Reliability level is reported to be high, with an intraclass correlation coefficient range of 0.80 to 0.99. When used with other noninvasive vascular tests such as pulse volume recordings, lower extremity segmental systolic limb pressures, and transcutaneous oximetry mapping, the ankle brachial index is a valuable screening tool to detect individuals at risk for wounds and other problems associated with poor peripheral arterial circulation.
Holland
Tom
T
Program in Physical Therapy, Hunter College of The City University of New York (CUNY), 425 East 25th Street, Box #604, New York, NY 10010, USA. tholland@hunter.cuny.edu
D000842:Ankle / Q000098:blood supply*; D001785:Blood Gas Monitoring, Transcutaneous / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing; D001795:Blood Pressure Determination / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing; D001916:Brachial Artery; D006801:Humans; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000379:methods; D016491:Peripheral Vascular Diseases / Q000145:classification / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012016:Reference Values; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013599:Systole; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000451:nursing