Comparison of ankle-brachial pressure index measurements using an automated oscillometric device with the standard doppler ultrasound technique

Background: The aim of the present study was to assess the accuracy of an automated oscillometric device (DINAMAP) in measuring ankle-brachial pressure index (ABPI) in the clinical setting. Results were then compared to those obtained using the standard Doppler technique. Methods: A prospective comparative study of 50 healthy volunteers was carried out using a standard ward DINAMAP machine, hand-held Doppler and a 14 cm sphygmomanometer cuff. Three consecutive pressure readings were taken from all four limbs of the volunteers using both Doppler and DINAMAP techniques. The two techniques were carried out by different investigators who were blind to the findings of the other. The ABPI was calculated for each technique and the two techniques were compared. Results: There was no significant agreement between the ABPI readings obtained by DINAMAP and those obtained by the standard Doppler technique. There was also a substantial variation in pressure readings produced by the DINAMAP for a given limb as measured by intraclass correlation of the three readings taken. Conclusions: There is no role for standard automated oscillometric devices in the calculation of ABPI in the vascular clinic.