Knowledge about ankle-brachial index procedure among residents: being experienced is beneficial but is not enough

VASA ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ségolène Chaudru ◽  
Pierre-Yves de Müllenheim ◽  
Alexis Le Faucheur ◽  
Vincent Jaquinandi ◽  
Adrien Kaladji ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Peripheral Artery Disease ◽  
Ankle Brachial Index ◽  
Medical Schools ◽  
Peripheral Artery ◽  
Clinical Tool ◽  
Index Procedure ◽  
Artery Disease ◽  
Current Guidelines

Abstract. Background: Ankle-brachial index (ABI) at rest is the main clinical tool to diagnose the presence of lower extremity peripheral artery disease (PAD). The method for ABI procedure (i.e., measurement, calculation and interpretation) is standardised and guidelines were published in 2012. This study sought to: i) assess knowledge about the three major steps of the ABI procedure (i.e., measurement, calculation and interpretation) among residents from different medical schools, ii) compare the ABI knowledge of experienced residents (i.e., who have already performed ABI procedure more than 20 times) with the knowledge of inexperienced residents, and iii) describe the most common errors by residents. Methods: Residents from six medical schools were invited to complete a questionnaire about the ABI procedure. Results: Sixty-eight residents completed the questionnaire. None of them knew how to perform the entire ABI procedure. Overall, 22 %, 13 % and 41 % of residents correctly answered questions about ABI measurement, ABI calculation and ABI interpretation, respectively. Score comparisons underlined the fact that experienced residents (n = 26) answered ABI measurement questions to a significantly better level and had a significantly higher total score than inexperienced residents (n = 42) (P = 0.0485 and P = 0.0332, respectively). Errors were similar for most of the residents. Conclusions: Our study confirms that experienced residents have significantly better ABI procedure knowledge than inexperienced residents. However, none of them are able to perform the entire ABI procedure without any mistake with regard to current guidelines. It is important that training be given to residents in medical schools in order to improve their ABI procedure knowledge.

Abstract 91: Are At Risk Outpatient Cardiology Patients being Appropriately Evaluated for Lower Extremity PAD as Recommended by ACC/AHA Guidelines?

2012 ◽  
Vol 5 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajesh M Kabadi ◽  
Ankitkumar Patel ◽  
Rajani Sharma ◽  
Rita Schmidt ◽  
Elias Iliadis
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
At Risk ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Peripheral Artery Disease ◽  
Ankle Brachial Index ◽  
Heart Association ◽  
Low Risk ◽  
Peripheral Artery ◽  
Artery Disease

Background: Lower extremity peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a common syndrome that afflicts many individuals and leads to significant morbidity. Once appropriate at risk patients are identified, ankle-brachial index (ABI) testing is a relatively quick and inexpensive test that is recommended for proper assessment of PAD, per the recommendations outlined in the American College of Cardiology (ACC)/American Heart Association (AHA) Guidelines for the Management of Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) (JACC, 2006). Outpatient cardiology practices often take care of individuals at risk for PAD and have the opportunity to test and appropriately treat this condition. Methods: A randomly selected group of 367 outpatients seen in a large academic cardiology practice from September 2011 underwent retrospective chart review. Risk factors for PAD that were assessed include history of smoking, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, homocysteine levels, and CRP. Those that had three or more risk factors were classified as high risk and those with less than that were classified as low risk and frequency of ABI testing was evaluated. Fishers exact test was utilized for statistical analysis. Results: Fifty-one percent (N=187) of our population were classified as high risk for PAD, forty-three percent (N=158) were low risk, and six percent (N=22) were known to already have PAD. Amongst the high risk individuals, only six percent (N=12) had ABI testing performed while there were three percent (N=6) of low risk individuals that had this test (p=-0.34). Conclusions: There was no difference in ABI testing between high and low risk populations. Limitations of this study include lack of information regarding other diagnostic modalities that may have been used in place of ABI testing. Quality improvement may be achieved by increased use of such testing as this would allow for quicker identification of the disease, prompter treatment, and better outcomes, at a minimal cost.

scholarly journals Further Clinical Validation of the Walking Impairment Questionnaire for Classification of Walking Performance in Patients with Peripheral Artery Disease

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. P. Sagar ◽  
P. M. Brown ◽  
D. T. Zelt ◽  
W. L. Pickett ◽  
J. E. Tranmer
Keyword(s):  
Peripheral Artery Disease ◽  
Ankle Brachial Index ◽  
Area Under The Curve ◽  
Subscale Score ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Walking Ability ◽  
Peripheral Artery ◽  
Clinical Tool ◽  
Walking Performance ◽  
Artery Disease

The purpose of this study was to further validate theWalking Impairment Questionnaire(WIQ) as a self-report tool to aid in the clinical identification of walking ability of patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD). 132 patients with PAD and an ankle brachial index (ABI) ≤0.90 were enrolled; 123 provided complete data for the WIQ and standardized graded treadmill test. The WIQ scores were consistent with reported scores in other studies. The absolute claudication distance (ACD) ranged from 42.3 to 1589.2 meters; the peak walking time (PWT) ranged from 68 to 1800 seconds. Adjusted WIQ scores were positively and moderately associated with the log transformed ACD and PWT (r>.53,P<.001). Based on the area under the curve analysis, an overall WIQ score of 42.5 or less identified low performers (sensitivity 0.90, specificity 0.73); the combined subscale score of distance and stair of 75.5 or more identified high performers (sensitivity 0.41, specificity 0.90). We conclude that WIQ cut-offs appropriately classify walking performance in PAD patients, making this a potentially useful clinical tool. Consideration needs to be given to incorporating a standardized WIQ version into practice guidelines and the use of innovative strategies to facilitate clinical uptake.

scholarly journals Ankle-Brachial Index for Risk Stratification in Patients With Symptomatic Peripheral Artery Disease With and Without Prior Lower Extremity Revascularization: Observations From the EUCLID Trial

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
William R. Hiatt ◽  
Connie N. Hess ◽  
Marc P. Bonaca ◽  
Sarah Kavanagh ◽  
Manesh R. Patel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Peripheral Artery Disease ◽  
Ankle Brachial Index ◽  
Cubic Spline ◽  
Hazard Ratio ◽  
Acute Limb Ischemia ◽  
Peripheral Artery ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Artery Disease ◽  
Lower Extremity Revascularization

Background: A reduced ankle-brachial index (ABI) is a measure of atherosclerosis and is associated with ischemic risk in the general population. Whether this relationship is maintained in peripheral artery disease after lower extremity revascularization (LER), which can modify ABI, is unknown. Methods: The EUCLID (Examining Use of Ticagrelor in Peripheral Artery Disease) enrolled 13 885 patients with symptomatic peripheral artery disease; 57% with prior LER, and 43% with ABI ≤0.80. The primary major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) outcome was a composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or ischemic stroke. Major adverse limb events (MALE) included acute limb ischemia and major amputation. An adjusted Cox proportional hazards model demonstrated a nonlinear relationship between ABI and outcomes. A restricted cubic spline model with 4 knots was developed to identify the best fitting model to describe the relationship between ABI and MACE and MALE risk. Results: Baseline ABI (mean±SD) was 0.77±0.21 in participants with prior LER and 0.63±0.14 in those without prior LER ( P <0.0001). There was no statistical interaction between prior LER and ABI, meaning the shapes of the cubic spline models were similar between groups. In those with prior LER, for every 0.10 unit lower ABI below an ABI of 1.00, the hazard ratio for MACE was 1.08 (95% CI, 1.04–1.12; P <0.0001), below an ABI of 0.80 the hazard ratio for MALE was 1.32 (95% CI, 1.21–1.43; P <0.0001). In patients without prior LER, every 0.10 unit lower ABI below an ABI of 0.70 was associated with increased risk for MACE (hazard ratio, 1.14 [95% CI, 1.06–1.23]; P =0.0004) and MALE (hazard ratio, 1.27 [95% CI, 1.08–1.49]; P =0.003). Conclusions: Patients with established peripheral artery disease, particularly those with prior LER, have an increased risk of MACE and MALE. The ABI remains a strong predictor of MACE and MALE ischemic events with an inverse relationship below an ABI threshold for patients with and without prior LER. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov ; Unique identifier: NCT01732822.

scholarly journals Accuracy of Ankle-Brachial Index Measurements in Evaluation of Critical Leg Ischemia

2013 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 85-87
Author(s):  
Tímea Varga-Fekete ◽  
Katalin Felvinczi ◽  
Emese Kun-Bálint ◽  
A Puskás ◽  
E Nagy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Peripheral Artery Disease ◽  
Ankle Brachial Index ◽  
Peripheral Artery ◽  
Critical Ischemia ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Ankle Pressure ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Artery Disease ◽  
Leg Ischemia

Abstract Aims: The ankle-brachial index is an efficient tool for objectively documenting the presence of lower extremity peripheral artery disease. However, its applicability for detection of critical leg ischemia is still controversial. We proposed to determine the diagnostic accuracy of the ankle-brachial index for critical ischemia. Materials and methods: Systolic blood pressure measurements for calculation of the ankle-brachial index were obtained in 90 patients with peripheral artery disease. Ankle-brachial index was computed in 3 different ways (using the lowest ankle pressure, the highest ankle pressure, and the mean of the ankle pressures), sensibility, specificity, positive and negative predictive value and overall accuracy for detecting critical ischemia were determined for each method. A value ≤ 0.4 was taken as cut-off point for critical leg ischemia. Prevalence of coronary and cerebrovascular atherosclerosis and conventional risk factors were also noted. Results: Using the lowest ankle pressure for computing ankle-brachial index provided higher sensitivity, and lower specificity for detecting critical leg ischemia, using the highest pressure was less sensitive, but more specific, and the mean pressure index gave intermediate results. Overall accuracy was highest for the latest method. The prevalence of generalized atherosclerosis was high in peripheral artery disease, but we found no significant difference between the intermittent claudication and the critical ischemia group. Conclusion: Ankle-brachial index measurements, regardless of the method used for calculation, cannot identify or rule out reliably critical leg ischemia. Peripheral artery disease confers an increased risk of cardiovascular disease regardless of symptom status or lower extremity perfusion severity.

Progression of asymptomatic peripheral artery disease over 1 year

2012 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emile R Mohler ◽  
Warner Bundens ◽  
Julie Denenberg ◽  
Elizabeth Medenilla ◽  
William R Hiatt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Peripheral Artery Disease ◽  
Time Course ◽  
Ankle Brachial Index ◽  
Duplex Ultrasound ◽  
Leg Pain ◽  
Peripheral Artery ◽  
Community Screening ◽  
Artery Disease

The pathophysiology and time course of an individual converting from asymptomatic peripheral artery disease (PAD) to symptomatic claudication is unclear. The objectives of this study were: (1) to characterize the extent of atherosclerotic disease in individuals with an abnormal ankle–brachial index (ABI), but without claudication; and over 1 year of follow-up to (2) evaluate the progression of PAD using ultrasound imaging, (3) determine changes in the ABI and leg pain symptoms, and (4) correlate PAD progression with changes in the ABI and leg symptoms. We hypothesized that PAD progression would be associated with the development of claudication and changes in the ABI, 6-minute walk distance (6-MWD), and walking quality of life. Individuals with a reduced ABI but without typical intermittent claudication noted on community screening were invited to undergo baseline and 1-year follow-up assessment, including duplex ultrasound. The initial and repeat evaluations included measurement of the ABI, lower extremity duplex arterial mapping, and assessment of leg pain and functional status. Of the 50 people studied, 44 (88%) had significant atherosclerotic lesions in the lower extremity arteries, affecting 80 legs. A total of 33 of 50 individuals (66%) returned for the 1-year follow-up visit. On ultrasound examination, two of 18 normal legs developed PAD, and in 48 legs with PAD at baseline, 17 legs (35%) developed new or progressive lesions. Thirteen legs developed new claudication. Overall, there was no significant worsening in the ABI, 6-MWD, or the Walking Impairment Questionnaire (WIQ). However, legs with new lesions or lesion progression were significantly more likely to develop claudication, and the 13 legs (seven subjects) developing claudication showed a significant decline in the 6-MWD. In conclusion, these data indicate that a significant number of people with asymptomatic PAD show progression over 1 year, that such individuals are more likely to develop claudication, and that those developing claudication have a significant decrease in their 6-MWD.

Gait changes after supervised exercise training in patients with symptomatic lower extremity peripheral artery disease

2021 ◽  
pp. 1358863X2098483
Author(s):  
Stefano Lanzi ◽  
Joël Boichat ◽  
Luca Calanca ◽  
Pauline Aubertin ◽  
Davide Malatesta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Exercise Training ◽  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Peripheral Artery Disease ◽  
Ankle Brachial Index ◽  
Stride Frequency ◽  
Peripheral Artery ◽  
Phase Duration ◽  
Supervised Exercise ◽  
Gait Parameters ◽  
Artery Disease

This study aimed to investigate the effects of supervised exercise training (SET) on walking performance and spatiotemporal gait changes in patients with symptomatic lower extremity peripheral artery disease (PAD). In this single-arm prospective nonrandomized cohort study, patients with Fontaine stage II PAD following a 3-month SET program were included. Before and after SET, a constant-load treadmill test was performed to determine the pain-free and maximal walking distances (PFWD and MWD, respectively). During this test, spatiotemporal gait parameters were assessed. The ankle–brachial index (ABI) and toe–brachial index (TBI) were also measured. Twenty-seven patients with PAD (64.0 ± 1.9 y, 74% men) were included. Following SET, the PFWD (+68%; p = 0.001) and MWD (+79%; p ⩽ 0.001) significantly increased. The ABI and TBI did not change significantly. Following SET, the stride duration, stride frequency, stride length, and double support phase duration did not change significantly. In contrast, subphases of stance showed significant changes: the loading response (+8%; p = 0.03) and foot-flat (+2%; p = 0.01) phases were significantly longer, whereas the push-off phase (–7%; p = 0.002) was significantly shorter. A significant positive correlation was found between changes in the foot-flat phase and changes in PFWD ( r = 0.43, p = 0.03). A significant negative correlation was found between changes in the push-off phase and changes in PFWD ( r = −0.39, p = 0.05). No significant correlations were found between changes in relative durations of the subphases of stance and MWD. These results indicate that changes in temporal gait parameters during the foot contact phase potentially constitute an underlying mechanism of delayed claudication distance in patients with symptomatic PAD.

scholarly journals Long-term tracking of fasting blood glucose variability and peripheral artery disease in people without diabetes

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. e000896
Author(s):  
Xiu-Ting Sun ◽  
Cheng Zeng ◽  
Shao-Zhao Zhang ◽  
Hui-Min Zhou ◽  
Xiang-Bin Zhong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Glucose ◽  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Peripheral Artery Disease ◽  
Cox Regression ◽  
Fasting Blood Glucose ◽  
Ankle Brachial Index ◽  
Peripheral Artery ◽  
Artery Disease

IntroductionLong-term changes of fasting blood glucose (FBG) in relation to lower-extremity peripheral artery disease (lower-extremity PAD) in people without diabetes has barely been reported. Our study aimed to investigate the association between FBG variability and the incidence of lower-extremity PAD in people without diabetes.Research design and methodsWe included 7699 participants without prior lower-extremity PAD and diabetes from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study in the final analysis. At least two measurements of FBG were required during follow-up. Variability of FBG was identified using SD, coefficient of variation (CV), variability independent of the mean (VIM) and average real variability. Lower-extremity PAD was defined as an ankle brachial index <0.9, or hospitalization with a lower-extremity PAD diagnosis. Cox regression model was used to calculate HR for incidence of lower-extremity PAD and FBG variability.ResultsDuring a median follow-up of 19.5 years, 504 (6.5 %) lower-extremity PAD events were observed, 54.4% (n=274) were male, and 17.5% (n=88) were African-American. FBG variability was positively associated with incident lower-extremity PAD, with a linear relationship. HRs for CV and VIM were 1.015 (95% CI: 1.001 to 1.03; p=0.023), and 1.032 (95% CI: 1.004 to 1.06; p=0.022) for lower-extremity PAD, respectively. Participants in the lowest quartile of CV were at lower lower-extremity PAD risk compared with the highest ones (HR: 1.499, 95% CI: 1.16 to 1.938; p=0.002).ConclusionsHigher FBG variability was independently associated with increased prevalence of lower-extremity PAD in people without diabetes.Trial registration numberNCT00005131.

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