Ankle–arm index as a predictor of lesion morphology and risk classification for coronary artery disease undergoing angioplasty

Abstract Background Low ankle–arm systolic blood pressure index is strongly correlated with various cardiovascular risk factors. However, although the potential hazards of resulting coronary artery disease (CAD) are well established, no data is available regarding how ankle–arm index (AAI) and CAD severity are related. Methods This study enrolled 477 patients and all patients underwent coronary angiography and AAI measurements. Based on AAI values, patients were divided into study (AAI value of Results Among baseline characteristics, the study group showed a significantly older and higher female ratio than the control group. The presence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus (DM), current smoking status and LDL-cholesterol level differed significantly between these two groups. Mean number of lesions and target vessel involvement were significant different between the study and control group (2.6±1.1 vs. 1.9±1.0, p p Conclusions The AAI is a useful non-invasive tool for the prediction of CAD severity.