Abstract
BackgroundPeripheral artery disease affects 8–18 million people in the United States. Patients with peripheral artery disease are known to have increased morbidity and mortality. Medical guidelines recognize ankle-brachial index testing as an effective screening tool that allows for early detection of this disease in primary care settings. Doppler ankle-brachial index, the standard method used, is time consuming and requires technical expertise. Automated (digital) ankle-brachial index testing through plethysmography may be a more attractive method in primary care settings due to its speed and ease of use. This observational study evaluated the use of one digital ankle-brachial index device in primary care settings to describe the population tested and the results obtained.ResultsA total of 19 medical practices throughout the United States provided data on 632 patient tests. In the population tested, the mean age was 67.2 (±13.8) years, and 38% of patients were male. Additionally, 94.7% of the population had risk factors, signs and/or symptoms suspicious for peripheral artery disease, and 20.3% presented with claudication. Twelve percent (76/632) of patient tests showed an abnormal digital ankle-brachial index (<0.93), indicating a result positive for peripheral artery disease; the frequency of hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, and coronary artery disease in this group was 62% (45/73), 69% (50/72) and 46% (34/74), respectively.ConclusionThe results of this study support the use of a digital ankle-brachial index device using blood volume plethysmography technology for evaluation of peripheral artery disease. Data is consistent with previously reported population characteristics with respect to peripheral artery disease prevalence, signs/symptoms, and risk factors. The device used in this study enabled evaluation for peripheral artery disease in primary care settings and may allow for early detection of the disease.
Highlights
Peripheral artery disease affects 8–18 million people in the United States
Impaired angiogenesis and decreased capillary supply to skeletal muscle are seen in Peripheral artery disease (PAD) and may be related to the symptoms and reduced functionality experienced by these patients
Research on potential treatments based on these mechanisms of action is ongoing, and early detection of PAD remains very important in the treatment course of patients with this disease
Summary
Peripheral artery disease affects 8–18 million people in the United States. Patients with peripheral artery disease are known to have increased morbidity and mortality. Medical guidelines recognize ankle-brachial index testing as an effective screening tool that allows for early detection of this disease in primary care settings. Automated (digital) ankle-brachial index testing through plethysmography may be a more attractive method in primary care settings due to its speed and ease of use. Peripheral artery disease (PAD) affects between 8–18 million people in the United States [1].Patients with PAD are known to have increased morbidity and mortality [2,3]. Numerous medical guidelines recognize early detection of PAD as a critical factor both for mitigating PAD progression and improving risk management of cardiovascular disease [5,6,7]. While possibly not the only mechanism for improved functionality, this study suggests the microvasculature involved may have a significant impact on the metabolic potential of working muscles in PAD patients. Research on potential treatments based on these mechanisms of action is ongoing, and early detection of PAD remains very important in the treatment course of patients with this disease
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