title: Can augmentation index be used as an accurate tool in the diagnosis of peripheral obstructive arterial disease?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The use of radial augmentation index (rAI) as an indicator of vascular disease was investigated in the vascular imaging laboratory in a regional hospital.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate whether a correlation exists between ankle-brachial pressure index (ABPI) and rAI in normal subjects, patients with peripheral obstructive arterial disease, and diabetic patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A group of 46 patients and 14 controls had ABPI and rAI measured and factors affecting AI were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  rAI was found to have a negative correlation with ABPI (Spearman's ρ = -0.513, p < 0.01). There was significant increase in the rAI scores of diabetic patients compared to normal patients (normal median was 64% lower than diabetic median, p < 0.01) and in peripheral obstructive vascular disease patients compared to normal (normal median 69% lower, p < 0.001). Of the various affecting factors, age stood out with rAI having a positive correlation to age (Spearman's ρ = 0.68, p < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The augmentation index appears be a significant indicator of cardiovascular disease and may be a useful tool in the diagnosis of vascular pathology.
authors.affiliation: Mid Western Regional Hospital Limerick, Limerick, Ireland. petecoyle@gmail.com
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Coyle
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Duff
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Gavin
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Clarke Moloney
authors.forename: P E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Burke
authors.forename: E G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Kavanagh
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Grace
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D055109:Ankle Brachial Index; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry; D008875:Middle Aged; D058729:Peripheral Arterial Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D017534:Radial Artery / Q000503:physiopathology*; D059289:Vascular Stiffness; D055815:Young Adult