Question

The Ankle-Brachial Pressure Index (ABPI) is artificially increased in:

• A. Arteriosclerosis with calcified arteries
• B. Ischemic ulcers
• C. Intermittent claudication
• D. Deep vein thrombosis

Hint:

Incompressible calcified arteries give a falsely high ankle pressure.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: The ABPI compares the blood pressure at the ankle with that in the arm; values fall when arteries are narrowed.

Step 2: If the wall of the leg artery is stiff with calcium, the cuff cannot squeeze it shut. The machine then reads a falsely high ankle pressure and the index is spuriously elevated.

Step 3: By contrast, ischemic ulcers and claudication signal real obstruction and pull the index down, while DVT involves veins, so the calcified, incompressible artery is the cause of a falsely high ABPI.

\[\boxed{\text{Arteriosclerosis with calcified arteries}}\]