How to perform the ankle brachial index test in clinical practice

A bedside test to assist clinicians in diagnosing peripheral arterial disease

The ankle brachial index (ABI), a useful bedside test, is the ratio of the highest systolic blood pressure in the lower extremity vessels at the ankle divided by the highest systolic blood pressure of the two brachial arteries. An abnormal ABI measurement is a sign of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and also of increased risk of atherosclerotic disease elsewhere, including cardiac events, stroke and death. This increased risk is independent of a pre-existing diagnosis of vascular disease.1-3