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Expanding access to vascular care using BlueDop Vascular Expert: an artificial intelligence-driven diagnostic tool
Ben J Van Bockern1, Mason R Woldt1, Jacob R Devine1
1University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine, Sioux Falls, SD, US.
Journal of Wound Care
|June 5, 2026
Summary
The BlueDop Vascular Expert (BVE) offers superior peripheral arterial disease (PAD) screening compared to the ankle-brachial index (ABI), especially in patients with comorbidities. BVE demonstrates higher accuracy and reliability for PAD detection.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Medicine
- Diagnostic Imaging
- Medical Technology
Background:
- Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) affects diverse populations, with screening challenges in patients with comorbidities.
- The ankle-brachial index (ABI) is a standard PAD screening tool, but its accuracy can be compromised by factors like diabetes and obesity.
- Novel screening tools are needed to improve PAD detection rates and address diagnostic disparities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the screening performance of the BlueDop Vascular Expert (BVE) against the ankle-brachial index (ABI) for peripheral arterial disease (PAD).
- To evaluate the efficacy of BVE and ABI in diverse patient populations, including those with common comorbidities.
- To assess the diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of both BVE and ABI in identifying PAD.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study combining a new cohort with a published dataset, assessing a total of 751 limbs.
- Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) screening was performed using both BlueDop Vascular Expert (BVE) and ankle-brachial index (ABI).
- Full leg arterial duplex ultrasound, interpreted by an independent vascular surgeon, served as the reference standard for PAD diagnosis.
Main Results:
- BlueDop Vascular Expert (BVE) demonstrated higher overall sensitivity (82.5% vs. 58.3%), specificity (93.9% vs. 87.4%), and accuracy (91.2% vs. 80.6%) compared to ABI.
- BVE showed improved performance across all analysed subgroups, including patients with diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and a history of smoking.
- The diagnostic agreement (κ value) was significantly higher for BVE (0.76) than for ABI (0.46).
Conclusions:
- BlueDop Vascular Expert (BVE) is a more accurate and reliable tool for peripheral arterial disease (PAD) screening than ABI, particularly in patients with comorbidities.
- BVE's portability and ease of use make it suitable as a first-line screening tool, especially in underserved areas.
- Wider adoption of BVE could reduce diagnostic disparities and improve PAD patient outcomes.
