Atrial fibrillation influences automatic oscillometric ankle-brachial index measurement

Abstract

Introduction: Repeated measurements of ankle-brachial index (ABI) using Doppler method were shown to be accurate during atrial fibrillation. Oscillometric devices are effective in ABI measurement, but their accuracy during atrial fibrillation is unknown. The purpose of the study was to investigate whether atrial fibrillation influences ABI obtained with the automatic oscillometric method. Material and methods: Ninety-nine patients with atrial fibrillation (mean age: 66.6 +(SD = 11) years, M/F − 63/36) who underwent electrical cardioversion were investigated (198 lower extremities). The ABI measurements using oscillometric and Doppler methods were performed on both lower extremities before and after procedure. Results: The ABI measured using the oscillometric method on both lower limbs did not change after cardioversion (