Predictive value of distal pressure measurements in critical leg ischaemia

In a retrospective study 110 consecutive patients with 145 critically ischaemic legs were assessed. Based on a three-month follow-up the predictive values for leg survival of the ankle and toe pressure measurements were determined. 25% of the legs had been amputated. The ankle and toe pressures as well as the ankle brachial index (ABI) were lower in the amputated than in the nonamputated group but considerably overlapping. Mean values for ankle pressures were 32 and 42 mmHg (P < 0.05), for toe pressures 16 and 20 mmHg (P < 0.05) and for the ABI 0.26 and 0.32 (P < 0.01). According to the present results a single ankle, toe or ABI measurement had no predictive value as to the risk of amputation. It can, however, be used as an adjunctive measure to supplement clinical examination.