The ankle-brachial index in diabetes - what is the most appropriate measurement method?

Czech version

Authors: Homza M. ^1,2; Machaczka O. ³; Porzer M. ^1,2; Kozák M. ⁴; Plášek J. ^1,2; Šipula D. ^1,2
Authors‘ workplace: Kardiovaskulární oddělení, FN Ostrava 2 Katedra interních oborů, LF OU, Ostrava 3 Ústav epidemiologie a ochrany veřejného zdraví, LF OU, Ostrava 4 Interní kardiologická klinika LF MU a FN Brno ¹
Published in: Kardiol Rev Int Med 2018, 20(4): 300-303

Overview

The ankle-brachial index (ABI) is a principal screening tool for the detection of lower extremity arterial disease. In our study with 40 diabetic patients, we evaluated the ability of different ABI methods to detect significant (>50%) stenosis in the lower extremity arteries determined by duplex ultrasonography. According to our results, the ABI obtained through the calculation utilising the lowest of the arterial pressures measured by the Doppler ultrasound at the ankle level (LAP) performed significantly better in this respect than either oscillometric ABI or even the guideline-recommended method that uses the higher of the ankle arterial pressures. For this reason, we believe it would be more appropriate to use the LAP method for screening in diabetic patients. At the same time, Doppler ABI measurement is missing in the Czech Healthcare Procedure Directory. We believe that this procedure should be added to the directory, at least for diabetic patients.

Key words:

ankle-brachial index – ABI – screening – lower extremity arterial disease – Doppler – Czech Healthcare Procedure Directory

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