Ankle- brachial index assessed by Stress Duplex as a non - invasive test for prediction of atherosclerotic coronary, carotid and peripheral arterial diseases

Abstract

Peripheral arterial disease generally results from atherosclerotic occlusion of lower Limb arteries, other causes are trauma, arteritis and • arterial entrapments.The aetiological factors for peripheral arterial

disease are similar to those for ischaemic heart disease, but their relative influence differs. Smoking is the most important risk factor. Most patients attending hospital with symptoms of peripheral arterial disease have a history of smoking( I). In longitudinal population studies, around 80% of cases of intermittent claudication are associated with smoking (2).

Diabetes meII it us is a particularly important risk n1ctor for severe ischaemia and amputation, since it is frequently associated with distal disease less suitable for arterial reconstruction (2).

Some studies have found that both hypertension and high serum cholesterol are associated with an increased risk of peripheral arterial disease (3) other have not (4).

High serum fibrinogen and raised packed cell volume have been found in patients with peripheral arterial disease, however, both tindings may be secondary to the efTects of smoking