Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Multicenter Study
. 2016 Dec 7:9:48.
doi: 10.1186/s13047-016-0181-2. eCollection 2016.

A targeted screening method for non-invasive vascular assessment of the lower limb

Peta Ellen Tehan  1 , Vivienne Helaine Chuter  1
Affiliations
Multicenter Study

A targeted screening method for non-invasive vascular assessment of the lower limb

Peta Ellen Tehan et al. J Foot Ankle Res. .

Abstract

Background: Podiatrists routinely perform non-invasive lower limb vascular assessment, however frequently cite time as a major barrier in performing regular assessment. The aim of this study was to develop an evidence-based vascular assessment method to guide podiatrists' decision-making processes to aid in timely vascular assessment in at risk populations.

Method: The sample underwent brachial pressure measurement, ankle pressures, toe pressure and Doppler waveform with colour duplex ultrasound (CFDU) used as the reference standard. Both the targeted screening method and the American Heart Association (AHA) guideline for vascular screening were then applied to the data set and sensitivity and specificity of each method was calculated.

Results: One hundred nineteen participants were included. Sensitivity of the targeted screening method (62%, 95% CI 47.17-75.35) was higher than the AHA method (49%, 95% CI 34.75-63.40), however, specificity of the AHA method (94%, 95% CI 85.62-98.37) was higher than the targeted screening method (85%, 95% CI 74.26-92.60). Diagnostic accuracy was similar with the AHA method yielding 74% diagnostic accuracy and the targeted screening method 73%.

Conclusion: The targeted screening method and the broad international guideline demonstrated similar accuracy, however clinicians may save time using the targeted screening method. This study highlights the difficulties in obtaining accuracy in lower limb vascular assessment in general.

Keywords: Non-invasive vascular assessment; Podiatrist.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Targeted screening method for non-invasive vascular assessment of the lower limb
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
American Heart Association guideline for non-invasive peripheral vascular screening
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Vaidya A, Joore MA, Cate-Hoek AJ, Severens JL. Screen or not to screen for peripheral arterial disease: guidance from a decision model. BMC Public Health. 2014;14(89). doi:10.1186/1471-2458-14-89. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Tehan P, Chuter VH. Vascular assessment techniques of podiatrists in Australia and New Zealand: a web-based survey. J Foot Ankle Res. 2015;8(71) - PMC - PubMed
    1. Hirsch AT, Haskal ZJ, Hertzer NR, Bakal CW, Creager MA, Halperin JL, Hiratzka LF, Murphy WRC, Olin JW, Puschett JB, et al. ACC/AHA Guidelines for the Management of Patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease (Lower Extremity, Renal, Mesenteric, and Abdominal Aortic) J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2006;17(9):1383–1398. doi: 10.1097/01.RVI.0000240426.53079.46. - DOI - PubMed
    1. (NICE) NIoHaCE. Peripheral Arterial Disease: Diagnosis and Management CG147. National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE); 2012. https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/qs52/resources.
    1. Chen PY, Lawford KM, Shah N, Pham J, Bower V. Perceptions of the ankle brachial index amongst podiatrists registered in Western Australia. J Foot Ankle Res. 2012;5(19) - PMC - PubMed

Publication types

MeSH terms

LinkOut - more resources