ABPI is a simple yet crucial test measuring arterial blood flow in the lower extremities. It compares blood pressure at the ankle to arm blood pressure to determine arterial supply adequacy.
How It's Performed:
- Patient lies relaxed for 10-15 minutes.
- Systolic blood pressure measured in the arm using Doppler.
- Blood pressure measured at ankle arteries (posterior tibial and dorsalis pedis).
- Division: ankle pressure ÷ arm pressure = ABPI.
Results Interpretation:
- Above 1.3: Calcified vessels (common in diabetes) — unreliable, needs alternative testing.
- 1.0-1.3: Normal — adequate arterial supply. Full compression can be applied.
- 0.8-0.99: Mild arterial insufficiency — modified (reduced) compression can be applied.
- 0.5-0.79: Moderate arterial insufficiency — compression prohibited. Needs vascular surgery assessment.
- Below 0.5: Severe ischemia — amputation risk. Needs urgent referral.
Why It's Crucial:
Applying compression to a leg with inadequate supply may cause gangrene. Therefore ABPI is mandatory before any venous compression.
At BEIT TARIQ Center, we perform ABPI for every leg ulcer patient with our portable Doppler device.