Template:ABI

Ankle-brachial index (ABI)

  • How to measure:
    • Position patient supine
    • Measure SBP from both brachial arteries using cuff and handheld Doppler over the AC fossa
    • Measure SBP from both DP and PT arteries using cuff placed just proximal to the malleoli with Doppler over artery (5-8% of normal patients have absent DP pulse)
    • Calculate ABI on each leg by taking the highest ankle SBP (between DP and PT) on that leg divided by the highest brachial SBP and record to 2 decimal places
ABI Meaning
<0.40 Severe occlusion
0.40–0.69 Moderate occlusion
0.70–0.90 Mild occlusion
0.91–1.30 Normal
>1.30 Poorly compressible/calcified vessels