Which ABI range is typically interpreted as mild to moderate peripheral arterial disease?

Which ABI range is typically interpreted as mild to moderate peripheral arterial disease?

• A. 0.41-0.90
• B. 0.91-0.99
• C. 1.00-1.29
• D. >1.30

Answer: (A)

Ankle-brachial index (ABI) shows how much blood flow is reaching the legs by comparing ankle and arm pressures. Normal values are about 1.0 to 1.4; anything below 1.0 suggests some degree of arterial obstruction in the legs. The category that corresponds to mild to moderate PAD falls in the range roughly 0.41 to 0.90. As the ABI decreases from near normal toward lower values, the severity of PAD increases, with 0.41–0.90 indicating disease that is present but not severe. Values between about 0.91 and 0.99 are closer to normal or borderline, and 1.00 to 1.29 is generally considered normal to high-normal. An ABI greater than 1.30 points to noncompressible, calcified arteries, which can occur in diabetes and can mask PAD rather than reflect flow limitation. Therefore, the 0.41–0.90 range best fits mild to moderate PAD.

Ankle-brachial index (ABI) shows how much blood flow is reaching the legs by comparing ankle and arm pressures. Normal values are about 1.0 to 1.4; anything below 1.0 suggests some degree of arterial obstruction in the legs. The category that corresponds to mild to moderate PAD falls in the range roughly 0.41 to 0.90. As the ABI decreases from near normal toward lower values, the severity of PAD increases, with 0.41–0.90 indicating disease that is present but not severe.

Values between about 0.91 and 0.99 are closer to normal or borderline, and 1.00 to 1.29 is generally considered normal to high-normal. An ABI greater than 1.30 points to noncompressible, calcified arteries, which can occur in diabetes and can mask PAD rather than reflect flow limitation. Therefore, the 0.41–0.90 range best fits mild to moderate PAD.