Ankle Brachial Pressure Index Essay
The Ankle Brachial Pressure Index is a test that demonstrates the cardiovascular status of the lower limb. It is a quick, noninvasive way to check for risk of peripheral artery disease (PAD).
Peripheral artery disease is a condition in which the arteries in the legs or arms are narrowed or blocked. People with peripheral artery disease are at an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, poor circulation and leg pain. If the foot pulses can be clearly felt then the risk of vascular disease and associated foot ulceration will be small. If the foot pulses are weak however or not palpable, the
Ankle Brachial Pressure Index (ABI) is required. Blood pressure measured at the ankle is compared with blood pressure measured at the arm. A low ankle-brachial …show more content…
Before carrying out the ABI test it is important to check that the patient has no bone pins, plates and screws in the ankle as the procedure will be contradicted if these are present.
To carry out the test, the patient is first asked to lie on a couch on their back and given 15-20 minutes to recover from any stress and exertion.
A sphygmomanometer is used to measure blood pressure, the cuff is positioned on the upper left arm. A hand-held Doppler is used to detect blood flow, the Doppler probe is placed just below the cuff, over the bifurcation of the Brachial artery. The arm is fully supported and the fingers relaxed.
The cuff is inflated beyond the expected systolic pressure, until the pulse disappears. The cuff is then slowly deflated as the practitioner listens to the Doppler for sound of the pulse. As the heart is at the height of its contraction, this is when the systolic pressure occurs. The first sound heard as flow recommences is the systolic pressure that is recorded and the figure used in the ratio.
The cuff is then positioned on the left ankle over the anterior or posterior tibial artery, the highest reading taken is the figure used. The Doppler is placed below the cuff, over the dorsalis
Peripheral artery disease is a condition in which the arteries in the legs or arms are narrowed or blocked. People with peripheral artery disease are at an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, poor circulation and leg pain. If the foot pulses can be clearly felt then the risk of vascular disease and associated foot ulceration will be small. If the foot pulses are weak however or not palpable, the
Ankle Brachial Pressure Index (ABI) is required. Blood pressure measured at the ankle is compared with blood pressure measured at the arm. A low ankle-brachial …show more content…
Before carrying out the ABI test it is important to check that the patient has no bone pins, plates and screws in the ankle as the procedure will be contradicted if these are present.
To carry out the test, the patient is first asked to lie on a couch on their back and given 15-20 minutes to recover from any stress and exertion.
A sphygmomanometer is used to measure blood pressure, the cuff is positioned on the upper left arm. A hand-held Doppler is used to detect blood flow, the Doppler probe is placed just below the cuff, over the bifurcation of the Brachial artery. The arm is fully supported and the fingers relaxed.
The cuff is inflated beyond the expected systolic pressure, until the pulse disappears. The cuff is then slowly deflated as the practitioner listens to the Doppler for sound of the pulse. As the heart is at the height of its contraction, this is when the systolic pressure occurs. The first sound heard as flow recommences is the systolic pressure that is recorded and the figure used in the ratio.
The cuff is then positioned on the left ankle over the anterior or posterior tibial artery, the highest reading taken is the figure used. The Doppler is placed below the cuff, over the dorsalis