Infrared Pedal Temperature and Non-Invasive Vascular Tests in Peripheral Artery Disease: Pilot Study

Area of Science:

• Vascular Medicine
• Medical Imaging
• Non-invasive Diagnostics

Background:

• Ankle/toe-brachial indexes (ABI/TBI) are standard for assessing distal arterial flow but require in-person testing.
• Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) impacts circulation, often necessitating monitoring post-revascularization.
• Non-invasive screening tools are needed to complement existing diagnostic methods for PAD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate infrared thermometry as a non-invasive screening tool for peripheral arterial disease (PAD).
• To assess the correlation between foot temperature measured by infrared thermometry and toe-brachial index (TBI) in PAD patients post-revascularization.

Main Methods:

• 37 PAD patients undergoing revascularization were enrolled.
• Foot temperature was measured at six anatomical locations using an infrared thermometer.
• Correlations between TBI and temperature were analyzed, with patients categorized into wound and non-wound groups.

Main Results:

• Significant negative correlations were found between TBI and foot temperature at the 1st metatarsal and midfoot.
• Patients with foot wounds exhibited lower ABIs and toe pressures but higher foot temperatures compared to non-wound patients.
• In the wound group, higher TBI correlated with physiological temperatures at the hallux, 1st, and 3rd metatarsals.

Conclusions:

• Infrared thermometry demonstrated significant correlations with TBI, supporting its use as a complementary monitoring tool for PAD.
• In patients with foot wounds, temperature reflects perfusion status, with normal physiological temperatures indicating adequate perfusion.
• Elevated local temperatures in wound patients may indicate impaired heat dissipation and inflammation due to compromised perfusion.