Ankle Brachial Index Flashcards
What is considered a normal Ankle Brachial Index (ABI) value?
A normal ABI value is 0.9 to 1.4.
What does an ABI value greater than 1.4 indicate?
It typically indicates vessel stiffening.
Noncompressible calcified vessel.
What does an ABI value less than 0.9 suggest?
It suggests narrowing of the vessels.
considered diagnostic of PAD
What does an ABI value less than 0.5 suggest?
It suggests severe peripheral arterial disease (PAD).
What is the clinical significance of an ABI value below 0.5?
Individuals with an ABI below 0.5 may not have sufficient blood flow to heal a fracture or surgical wound and should be considered for revascularization if they have a non-healing ulcer.
What does a non-measurable ABI value indicate?
an inability to occlude blood vessels at 300 mm Hg of pressure.
What is a key clinical use of ABI?
ABI is used to screen for peripheral arterial disease (PAD), especially in patients who smoke, are over 50, have diabetes, or are older than 70.
What risk associations are linked with a low ABI?
Increased risk of peripheral vascular disease, myocardial infarction, renal disease, and hypertension.
How does ABI relate to ulcer management?
ABI can predict the need for amputation in diabetic wounds if it is below 0.5, though it is less reliable for heel pressure sores.
Why might ABI values be artificially elevated in diabetic or elderly patients?
In diabetic or elderly patients, limb vessels may be fibrotic or calcified, causing resistance to collapse by the blood pressure cuff, leading to an artifactually elevated blood pressure value at high cuff pressures.
How does ABI relate to claudication and leg pain?
ABI helps identify occult PAD in patients over 50 with leg pain, although lower ABI values may predict decreased functional status over time.
.What does a pressure value higher in the ankle than the arm indicate?
It is normal, as the pressure is typically higher in the ankle than the arm.
