[Newly diagnosed peripheral arterial disease in patients with cardiovascular risk factor]

The goal of this study is to investigate the utility of ankle-brachial index (cut-off value < 0,90) as an indicator of peripheral arterial disease in a group of patients hospitalized in the Medical Clinic and to assess the prevalence of risk factor and associated comorbidities in patients with low index.

A total of 202 patients older than 50 years with established cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease or at least one cardiovascular risk factor (smoking, diabetes, dyslipidemia and hypertension) underwent ankle-brachial index measurement for this study. Demographic data and cardiovascular risk factors were analyzed. We assessed medical history, symptoms and clinical examination.

In this study, a number of 72 patients (35.64%) were diagnosed with peripheral arterial disease. Our results indicated that advanced age, greater number of total risk factors and presence of peripheral arterial disease related physical findings were associated with increased likelihood of low ankle-brachial index.

We should recommend ankle-brachial index as screening test in patients older than 50 years, in the presence of at least one cardiovascular risk factor, for early detection of peripheral arterial disease and systemic atherosclerosis, to improve prevention and early aggressive treatment.