Automated ABPI in Peripheral Arterial Disease a Pilot Study

The aim of this pilot study is to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of two automated ABPI devices across the spectrum of PAD (asymptomatic PAD, suspected symptomatic PAD \[IC; including mild moderate and severe IC based on the Rutherford classification (21) and CLTI\] and post-bypass surveillance). A second aim is to assess their useability and tolerability through semi-structured interviews with patients and clinicians. This means the research will be split into two workstreams.

Inclusion Criteria: Group 1: Asymptomatic * Adults aged 18 and over * At risk of PAD with ≥1 cardiovascular risk factor * No previous diagnosis of PAD * English speaking and able to understand test protocols Group 2a: Suspected PAD (intermittent claudication) * Adults aged 18 and over * Referred and booked into the nurse-led claudication clinic due to signs/symptoms in keeping with suspected intermittent claudication * English speaking and able to understand test protocols Group 2b: Suspected PAD (CLTI) * Adults aged 18 and over * Referred and booked into the vascular HOT clinic due to signs/symptoms in keeping with suspected CLTI * English speaking and able to understand test protocols Group 3: Post-bypass surveillance * Adults aged 18 and over * History of lower limb bypass surgery, enrolled in and attending the local surveillance programme * English speaking and able to understand test protocols Exclusion Criteria: * Patients who are unable to provide informed consent * Recent (≤4 weeks) lower-limb surgery * Ulcers, casts or bandages that cannot or should not be compressed * Patients who have had a therapeutic intervention (stent or graft) which extends to the ankle * Patients with known or suspected acute deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or superficial thrombophlebitis * Marked oedema in one or both feet * Inability to tolerate a supine position * Patients with spasms or tremors of any kind * Arm arteriovenous fistula * Inability to cooperate due to impaired cognition