Ankle/Arm Pressure Index in Coronary Patients Referred for Coronary Angiography

Abstract

Abstract:A cohort study was conducted to assess Ankle/Arm index (A.A.I.) in 136 coronary patients (84 male, 52 female). Round two thirds of the tested subjects had abnormal A.A.I.; aging and male gender negatively influenced the index values. Low pressure indices were reflecting the combined effect of many risk factors and were putting related subjects at higher risk for acute coronary events and post-ischemic complications due to more wide spread and characteristically more complex lesions. The test is simple and cheap, it can be included in routine bedside clinical examination for a better risk stratification of cardiovascular diseases.