Digital ankle-brachial index technology used in primary care settings to detect flow obstruction: a population based registry study

BACKGROUND: Peripheral artery disease affects 8–18 million people in the United States. Patients with peripheral artery disease are known to have increased morbidity and mortality. Medical guidelines recognize ankle-brachial index testing as an effective screening tool that allows for early detection of this disease in primary care settings. Doppler ankle-brachial index, the standard method used, is time consuming and requires technical expertise. Automated (digital) ankle-brachial index testing through plethysmography may be a more attractive method in primary care settings due to its speed and ease of use. This observational study evaluated the use of one digital ankle-brachial index device in primary care settings to describe the population tested and the results obtained. RESULTS: A total of 19 medical practices throughout the United States provided data on 632 patient tests. In the population tested, the mean age was 67.2 (±13.8) years, and 38% of patients were male. Additionally, 94.7% of the population had risk factors, signs and/or symptoms suspicious for peripheral artery disease, and 20.3% presented with claudication. Twelve percent (76/632) of patient tests showed an abnormal digital ankle-brachial index (<0.93), indicating a result positive for peripheral artery disease; the frequency of hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, and coronary artery disease in this group was 62% (45/73), 69% (50/72) and 46% (34/74), respectively. CONCLUSION: The results of this study support the use of a digital ankle-brachial index device using blood volume plethysmography technology for evaluation of peripheral artery disease. Data is consistent with previously reported population characteristics with respect to peripheral artery disease prevalence, signs/symptoms, and risk factors. The device used in this study enabled evaluation for peripheral artery disease in primary care settings and may allow for early detection of the disease.