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Published on: December 11, 2013

Abnormal ankle brachial indices may predict cardiovascular disease among diabetic patients without known heart

Jeffrey J Fine1, Christie B Hopkins, Patrick Ax Hall

  • 1South Carolina Heart Center, Columbia, SC 29204, USA. jfine@scheart.com

Circulation Journal : Official Journal of the Japanese Circulation Society
|July 1, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Ankle-brachial index (ABI) testing can effectively screen for cardiovascular disease in diabetic patients. An abnormal ABI score (<0.90) significantly predicts the presence of heart disease in this population.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Diabetology
  • Vascular Medicine

Background:

  • Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in diabetic patients.
  • Existing screening methods for CVD in diabetics lack accuracy and affordability.
  • Ankle-brachial index (ABI) testing shows promise as an accessible screening tool.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the prevalence of cardiovascular disease in diabetic patients with abnormal ABI (<0.90).
  • To evaluate the predictive value of ABI for detecting CVD in diabetics without known heart disease.

Main Methods:

  • A clinical study involving 100 diabetic patients referred for nuclear perfusion stress testing.
  • ABI measurements were taken, with a focus on scores below 0.90.
  • Data analyzed using descriptive statistics and T-testing.

Main Results:

  • 71% of subjects tested positive for at least one form of cardiovascular disease.
  • An abnormal ABI score (<0.90) was the only significant predictor of CVD (p<0.0001).
  • Perfusion stress testing revealed various abnormalities including coronary ischemia and diminished left ventricular function.

Conclusions:

  • ABI scores can predict cardiovascular disease in diabetic patients.
  • Nuclear perfusion testing can confirm CVD findings suggested by ABI scores.
Abstract

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