A low ankle-brachial index indicates which condition?

A low ankle-brachial index indicates which condition?

• A. Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)
• B. Deep Vein Thrombosis
• C. Myocardial Ischemia
• D. Lymphedema

Answer: (A)

Ankle-brachial index measures arterial perfusion to the legs by comparing the systolic pressure at the ankle with that in the arm. A low value means the ankle pressure is disproportionately low, signaling reduced blood flow due to narrowed or blocked leg arteries. This pattern is characteristic of peripheral arterial disease, where atherosclerotic disease limits arterial inflow to the lower extremities. Other conditions involve different systems: deep vein thrombosis is a venous issue that typically causes swelling rather than lowering the arterial pressure ratio; myocardial ischemia concerns the heart’s blood supply and isn’t diagnosed by ABI; lymphedema is lymphatic fluid buildup and does not reflect arterial perfusion. Thus, a low ABI points to peripheral arterial disease.

Ankle-brachial index measures arterial perfusion to the legs by comparing the systolic pressure at the ankle with that in the arm. A low value means the ankle pressure is disproportionately low, signaling reduced blood flow due to narrowed or blocked leg arteries. This pattern is characteristic of peripheral arterial disease, where atherosclerotic disease limits arterial inflow to the lower extremities.

Other conditions involve different systems: deep vein thrombosis is a venous issue that typically causes swelling rather than lowering the arterial pressure ratio; myocardial ischemia concerns the heart’s blood supply and isn’t diagnosed by ABI; lymphedema is lymphatic fluid buildup and does not reflect arterial perfusion. Thus, a low ABI points to peripheral arterial disease.