Evaluation of efficacy of Toe Brachial index in comparison to Ankle brachial pulse index for diagnosis of Peripheral Vascular Disease.

Abstract

Introduction: A hand-held Doppler ultrasound probe is very useful in the assessment of occlusive arterial disease. A continuous-wave ultrasound signal is transmitted from the probe at an artery and the reflected beam is picked up by a receiver within the probe itself. With this view present study was planned to evaluate efficacy of Toe Brachial index in comparison to Ankle brachial pulse index for diagnosis of Peripheral Vascular Disease. Methodology: All patients included in the study will be subjected to hand-held Doppler examination of their bilateral peripheral vessels, notably brachial vessels, Anterior tibial artery, Posterior tibial artery, dorsalis pedis artery and artery of the great toe. Results: Hand held Doppler examination of the lower limb arteries provides a cheap & quick diagnosis of peripheral vascular disease in diabetics and therefore is a viable modality for prevention of morbidity in these patients. Conclusion: Toe Brachial Index is a more Sensitive & Accurate diagnostic modality when compared to Ankle Brachial Pulse Index for the diagnosis of PVD in patients with diabetes and is therefore a better screening tool for the diagnosis of PVD in diabetics.