ankle-Brachial Index as an Indicator of Arterial Stiffness in Patients Without Peripheral Artery Disease

Rabkin, Simon W. MD, FRCPC, FACC
Chan, Siu Him MD
Sweeney, Colleen BSc

¹Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Corresponding Author: Simon W. Rabkin, Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, University of British Columbia, Level 9 2775 Laurel St, Vancouver, BC, Canada V5Z 1M9 Email: [email protected]

Angiology 63(2):p 150-154, February 2012. | DOI: 10.1177/0003319711410307

Abstract

We tested the hypothesis that the Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) in patients without peripheral arterial disease ([PAD] ABI > 1.0) is an indicator of arterial stiffness. Fifty-five patients had measurement of carotid pulse wave contour, pulse wave velocity (PWV), and ABI. Vascular stiffness as assessed by augmentation index (AIx) showed a significant (P = .002) inverse correlation with ABI. Dichotomizing ABI into groups above and below the median showed that persons with a lower ABI, >1.0 to 1.5 (n = 27) had a significantly (P < .01) higher AIx than those with a higher ABI > 1.5 (n = 28). In contrast, vascular stiffness assessed by brachialankle or carotid femoral PWV did not correlate with ABI. In summary, ABI is an indicator of arterial stiffness assessed by AIx. Vascular changes detected by AIx are not the same as those detected by PWV. Assessment of ABI may have utility in cardiovascular risk assessment in patients without PAD.