Pharmacist detection of peripheral arterial disease through the use of a handheld Doppler.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effectiveness of a program in which pharmacists screened at-risk patients for peripheral arterial disease using a handheld doppler device.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
Primary care and consultative outpatient clinic.


METHODS
Forty-one physician-referred patients older than 55 years who had no documented history of peripheral arterial disease.


METHODS
The pharmacists administered the San Diego Claudication Questionnaire and performed doppler examinations to calculate ankle-to-brachial indexes (ABIs). Patients with symptoms of claudication or with an ABI of 0.9 or less were considered to have possible peripheral arterial disease. Each diagnosis was confirmed by a physician. These patients were either referred for further evaluation, provided with immediate treatment, or told to continue their current drug regimen, if appropriate.


RESULTS
Eight (19.5%) of the 41 patients were diagnosed with peripheral arterial disease. Antiplatelet therapy was started in five patients, and one patient was referred to a vascular specialist.


CONCLUSIONS
This pharmacist-initiated program effectively detected peripheral arterial disease in previously unscreened patients.
Zerumsky
Kristin
K
Department of Pharmacy and Therapeutics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
Steinmetz
Karen L
KL
Handler
Steven M
SM
Rodriguez
Eric G
EG
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D003157:Community Pharmacy Services; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010595:Pharmacists; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012307:Risk Factors