How to measure the ankle brachial index with the WatchBP Office ABI

As with the Doppler measurements all measurements should be performed with the patient in supine position.

Screen mode
The guidelines for performing ABI prescribe that the ABI index should be determined at the arm with the highest blood pressure value. For this the screen mode should be used for performing simultaneous double-arm measurements.

ABI mode
After the arm with the highest BP value is determined one arm cuff (at the “R” cuff socket) can be replaced for the ankle cuff and blood pressure of the ankle and arm can be simultaneously measured in the ABI mode. After the measurement is performed the ABI will be automatically calculated by the device.

The ABI mode of the WatchBP Office ABI shows a reminder for the supine position (left) and automatically calculates the ABI from systolic blood pressure values (right; 1.09 = 148/136)

Table: Differences between WatchBP office ABI and Doppler machine

 

WatchBP Office ABI	Doppler Machine
Easy to perform	Difficult (education / skills required)
Fast	Time consuming
ABI index is provided	Calculation is needed
Simultaneous	Not simultaneous
Oscillometric method	Auscultatory method
Dorsalis pedis artery cannot be measured	Dorsalis pedis can be measured
Results not influence by observer	Results influenced by observer
Additional screening for Afib	No additional screening