Final Recommendation Statement:

Screening for Peripheral Artery Disease and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Assessment With the Ankle-Brachial Index

Final Recommendation Statement: Screening for Peripheral Artery Disease and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Assessment With the Ankle-Brachial Index

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force released today a final recommendation statement on screening for peripheral artery disease (PAD) and cardiovascular disease risk assessment with the ankle-brachial index (ABI). The Task Force found insufficient evidence on use of the ABI as a screening tool for PAD. To view the recommendation and the evidence on which it is based, please go here. The final recommendation statement can also be found in the July 10 online issue of JAMA.

The Final Recommendation Statement Is Available

FINAL RECOMMENDATION SUMMARY

See the full statement

Population

Recommendation

Grade

Adults

The USPSTF concludes that the current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of screening for PAD and cardiovascular disease risk with the ABI in asymptomatic adults.

WHY THIS MATTERS

"We know that the ABI can be used for diagnosis of PAD in people with symptoms. However, the Task Force looked at whether it can be used to identify the risk of developing blocked vessels in the leg among people without signs or symptoms of PAD,” says Task Force member Seth Landefeld, M.D. “At this time, there is not enough evidence to recommend for or against using the ABI as a screening tool.”