ankle-brachial index
Also written as: ABI — ankle-brachial index
Diagnostic ratio comparing systolic blood pressure at the ankle to that at the brachial artery, used to assess peripheral arterial disease.
Full Definition
The ankle-brachial index (ABI) is a non-invasive diagnostic test that compares the systolic blood pressure measured at the ankle to that measured at the brachial artery. Normal ABI values range from 0.90 to 1.30, with values below 0.90 indicating peripheral arterial disease of varying severity. Values above 1.30 suggest non-compressible vessels, often due to calcification in diabetic patients. The ABI is fundamental in PAD diagnosis, risk stratification, and monitoring treatment response in vascular medicine.
Usage
Usage note: Commonly abbreviated as ABI in medical documentation.
In Context
- "The patient's ankle-brachial index of 0.65 confirmed moderate peripheral arterial disease." — Vascular laboratory report
- "Serial ankle-brachial index measurements showed improvement following endovascular intervention." — Follow-up clinical note