Delivering top-tier cardiovascular ultrasound services directly to your practice
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Delivering top-tier cardiovascular ultrasound services directly to your practice -
Ankle/Brachial Indices (ABI) Ultrasound
An Ankle/Brachial Indices (ABI) ultrasound is a quick, painless, and non-invasive technique to measure the blood flow to the feet and legs. A healthcare provider compares the arterial blood pressure in the ankle to the blood pressure in the arms to look for potential problems and get information about general blood circulation. A low ankle/brachial index number can indicate blocked or narrowed arteries that impede blood flow to the extremities.
A registered technician performs an ABI ultrasound. During an Ankle/Brachial Indices (ABI) ultrasound, the patient lies on their back, and the technician spreads an ultrasound gel on the ankles, arms, and legs and moves a transducer over the area that requires imaging. The technician places blood pressure cuffs on different areas of the arms and legs. The ultrasound usually takes around 15 minutes.
Schedule quality mobile Ankle/Brachial Indices (ABI) ultrasound services in Pensacola, FL, and surrounding areas with Cardiovascular Specialty Imaging. Our services are cost-efficient and tailored to meet specific needs.
Why perform Ankle/Brachial Indices (ABI) Ultrasounds
An ABI ultrasound is performed to check for PAD (peripheral vascular disease). PAD occurs when the leg arteries of a person become narrow or get clogged with plaque or fatty deposits. Narrow or clogged arteries reduce the blood flow to the feet and legs. While PAD usually occurs in the arteries present in the legs, it can also affect other arteries. Some common symptoms that may prompt the doctor to recommend an ABI ultrasound include leg pain while walking, climbing stairs, or resting, skin discoloration, ulcers in toes, feet, and legs, less than average hair on the legs, and one leg feeling colder.
A healthcare provider can also use ABI ultrasound to check for PAD progression in patients diagnosed with the condition. PAD increases a person’s risk of heart attack, stroke, transient ischemic attack, or other cardiovascular problems. ABI ultrasound is also beneficial for people with an increased risk of PAD. Some common risk factors include diabetes, high BP, history of smoking or tobacco use, restricted blood flow in other body parts, over 70 years of age, and a family history of heart disease.