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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staff
The ankle-brachial index test is a quick, noninvasive way to check your risk of peripheral artery disease (PAD). Peripheral artery disease is a condition in which the arteries in your legs or arms are narrowed or blocked. People with peripheral artery disease are at a high risk of heart attack, stroke, poor circulation and leg pain.
The ankle-brachial index test compares your blood pressure measured at your ankle with your blood pressure measured at your arm. A low ankle-brachial index number can indicate narrowing or blockage of the arteries in your legs, leading to circulatory problems, heart disease or stroke. The ankle-brachial index test is sometimes recommended as part of a series of three tests, including the carotid ultrasound and abdominal ultrasound, to check for blocked or narrowed arteries.
- Grenon SM, et al. Ankle-brachial index for assessment of peripheral artery disease. New England Journal of Medicine. 2009;361:e40.
- ABI. Vascular Disease Foundation. http://www.vdf.org/diseaseinfo/pad/anklebrachial.php. Accessed April 28, 2010.
- Ankle brachial index. Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide. http://www.health.harvard.edu/fhg/updates/ankle-brachial-index.shtml. Accessed April 28, 2010.
- Espinola-Klein C, et al. Different calculations of ankle-brachial index and their impact on cardiovascular risk prediction. Circulation. 2008;118:961.
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