Ankle pressure and ABI
Ankle pressure and ankle-brachial index (ABI) are noninvasive macrocirculation measurements for evaluating blood perfusion in the ankles that provide critical insight into vascular health.
Ankle pressure measurements are considered to be the gold standard for assessing peripheral artery disease (PAD) in people without diabetes.
Ankle pressure versus ABI
Ankle pressure is the absolute measurement of local blood perfusion in the ankle and is used in a variety of clinical assessments. ABI is the ratio of ankle pressure to brachial (arm) pressure. By accounting for variations in systemic blood pressure, ABI normalizes ankle pressure which helps clinicians interpret high or low perfusion values.
Exercise ABI
Patients with borderline ABI and patients with normal ABI with symptoms of lower extremity artery disease (LEAD) should undergo additional diagnostic exams. Exercise ABI (or treadmill test) is generally recommended for this purpose[1][2][3]. During a treadmill test, systolic arm pressure and ankle pressure should be measured at the same time to give an as accurate ABI as possible. A post-exercise ABI that is lower than resting ABI may indicate PAD.
Clinical significance of ankle pressure
PAD and wound-healing reference values[2]
| Diagnosis | ||
|---|---|---|
| ABI | 0.9 – 1.3 |
}
PAD is less likely
|
| TBI | ≥ 0.7 | |
Ankle pressure and ABI can be used together with toe pressure and toe-brachial index (TBI) in assessments of PAD, wound-healing potential, and levels of ischemia.
Ankle pressure with PeriFlux 6000
PeriFlux 6000 solutions are designed for clinicians to carry out pressure measurements easily. Attach the laser Doppler probe to the relevant toe with double-sided tape, wrap a pressure cuff around the ankle, and start occlusion. The system automatically inflates the cuff to about 40 mmHg above systolic pressure, deflates the cuff when occlusion occurs, and identifies the point at which perfusion returns.
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Ankle pressure measurement with PeriFlux 6000 provides you with robust insights to make confident, informed decisions — whether for initial diagnosis or monitoring treatment outcomes.
To find out more about how to carry out ankle pressure with PeriFlux 6000, its application, or our related products, we are here to help.
References
- Lawall, H., Huppert, P., Espinola-Klein, C., Zemmrich, C. S., & Ruemenapf, G. (2017). German guideline on the diagnosis and treatment of peripheral artery disease – a comprehensive update 2016. VASA. Zeitschrift fur Gefasskrankheiten, 46(2), 79–86. https://doi.org/10.1024/0301-1526/a000603
- Writing Committee Members, Gornik, H. L., Aronow, H. D., Goodney, P. P., Arya, S., Brewster, L. P., Byrd, L., Chandra, V., Drachman, D. E., Eaves, J. M., Ehrman, J. K., Evans, J. N., Getchius, T. S. D., Gutiérrez, J. A., Hawkins, B. M., Hess, C. N., Ho, K. J., Jones, W. S., Kim, E. S. H., Kinlay, S., … Wilkins, L. R. (2024). 2024 ACC/AHA/AACVPR/APMA/ABC/SCAI/SVM/SVN/SVS/SIR/VESS Guideline for the Management of Lower Extremity Peripheral Artery Disease: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 83(24), 2497–2604. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2024.02.013
- Conte, M. S., Bradbury, A. W., Kolh, P., White, J. V., Dick, F., Fitridge, R., Mills, J. L., Ricco, J. B., Suresh, K. R., Murad, M. H., & GVG Writing Group (2019). Global vascular guidelines on the management of chronic limb-threatening ischemia. Journal of vascular surgery, 69(6S), 3S–125S.e40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvs.2019.02.016