Research article

Pocket Doppler and vascular laboratory equipment yield comparable results for ankle brachial index measurement

Saskia PA Nicolaï¹ , Lotte M Kruidenier¹ , Ellen V Rouwet¹ , Liliane Wetzels-Gulpers² , Constantijn AM Rozeman² , Martin H Prins³ and Joep AW Teijink¹

¹  Department of Surgery, Atrium medical center, Henri Dunantstraat 5, 6419 PC Heerlen, the Netherlands

²  Department of Clinical Neurophysiology/non-invasive vascular lab, Atrium medical center, Henri Dunantstraat 5, 6419 PC Heerlen, the Netherlands

³  Department of Epidemiology, Maastricht University/KEMTA, PO Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, the Netherlands

author email corresponding author email

BMC Cardiovascular Disorders 2008, 8:26doi:10.1186/1471-2261-8-26

Published:	7 October 2008

Abstract

Background

The ankle brachial index (ABI) is a well-established tool for screening and diagnosis of peripheral arterial disease (PAD). In this study we assessed the validity of ABI determination using a pocket Doppler device compared with automatic vascular laboratory measurement in patients suspected of PAD.

Methods

Consecutive patients with symptoms of PAD referred for ABI measurement between December 2006 and August 2007 were included. Resting ABI was determined with a pocket Doppler, followed by ABI measurement with automatic vascular laboratory equipment, performed by an experienced vascular technician. The leg with the lowest ABI was used for analysis.

Results

From 99 patients the mean resting ABI was 0.80 measured with the pocket Doppler and 0.85 measured with vascular laboratory equipment. A Bland-Altman plot demonstrated great correspondence between the two methods. The mean difference between the two methods was 0.05 (P < .001). Multivariate linear regression analysis showed no dependency of the difference on either the average measured ABI or affected or unaffected leg.

Conclusion

Since the small, albeit statistically significant, difference between the two methods is not clinically relevant, our study demonstrates that ABI measurements with pocket Doppler and vascular laboratory equipment yield comparable results and can replace each other. Results support the use of the pocket Doppler for screening of PAD, allowing initiation of cardiovascular risk factor management in primary care, provided that the equipment operator is experienced.