Effect of walking distance on the change in ankle-brachial pressure index in patients with intermittent claudication

Objectives: The ankle-brachial pressure index (ABPI) responses to different exercise intensities on a treadmill were evaluated to clarify the relationship between intermittent claudication and the haemodynamics in the leg. Patients and methods: Thirty patients with intermittent claudication (32 symptomatic legs) due to peripheral arterial occlusive disease were exercised on a treadmill to determine their pain-free walking distance, maximum walking distance (MWD) and recovery time. Each subject was exercised at 25% and 50% of the MWD to determine the effect of work intensity on the drop in ABPI, and the recovery time. Results: In the claudicating legs, 25% of the MWD resulted in almost the same reduction in ABPI as 50% of the MWD, and the MWD. In contrast, the ABPI in the asymptomatic legs (13) was significantly decreased in proportion to the walking distance. The recovery time increased linearly in both the groups, as the walking distance increased. Conclusion: The recovery time of the ABPI correlated well with the intensity of workload, while the drop in ABPI did not.