title: Prognostic implications of the Ankle Brachial Index in patients with acute ischemic stroke: A meta-analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The ankle brachial index (ABI) is recognized as a marker of atherosclerotic disease. The detection of ABI may improve the risk stratification.
  
  
  METHODS
  We systematically searched Pubmed and Embase (from the earliest date to October 2015) for studies evaluating the prognostic value of ABI in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Stroke or cardiovascular events, mortality and functional outcomes were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventeen studies, containing 9404 patients, were included. The mean age of participants in each study ranged from 64 to 79 years. The prevalence of low ABI varied from 7.4% to 40.5%. In this quantitative analysis, we found that low ABI increased the risk of composite outcomes (myocardial infarction or stroke or mortality), disability and mortality.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The detection of ABI may help to identify high-risk patients for secondary stroke prevention.
authors.affiliation: a From the Stroke Clinical Research Unit, Department of Neurology, West China Hospital , Sichuan University , Chengdu , China.
authors.forename: Zilong
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Hao
authors.affiliation: b Department of Pharmacy, Evidence-based Pharmacy Center, West China second hospital, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children , Sichuan University , Chengdu , China.
authors.forename: Chunsong
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: a From the Stroke Clinical Research Unit, Department of Neurology, West China Hospital , Sichuan University , Chengdu , China.
authors.forename: Wendan
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Tao
authors.affiliation: a From the Stroke Clinical Research Unit, Department of Neurology, West China Hospital , Sichuan University , Chengdu , China.
authors.forename: Ming
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D055109:Ankle Brachial Index; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D002537:Intracranial Arteriosclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D020521:Stroke
keywords: Acute ischemic stroke; Ankle-Brachial Index; meta-analysis; prognosis