[Ankle brachial index: motivations, training, and practices among 165 general practitioners in Île-de-France]

Peripheral artery disease recognition, diagnosis, and management in general practice in the Republic of Ireland and England: an online survey

BACKGROUND

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is common and associated with future cardiovascular events. PAD is underdiagnosed, which limits opportunities to address secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. It is unknown how closely guidelines for detection of PAD are followed in primary care.

AIM

To survey GPs' attitudes to diagnosis and follow-up of patients with PAD.

DESIGN & SETTING

Online survey of GPs in England and the Republic of Ireland (RoI).

METHOD

GPs' approaches to management of PAD were assessed using likelihood ratings (scales of 0-10) and discrete questions. Findings were summarised as proportions, or median and interquartile ranges (IQR).

RESULTS

In total, 111 responses were analysed; 68 (61%) from England and 43 (39%) from the RoI. Considering a hypothetical patient at risk of PAD, likelihood of GPs enquiring about PAD symptoms (leg pains: 3/10 or erectile dysfunction: 2/10) was low. GPs in the RoI compared with GPs in England more often examined the heart (10/10 versus 7/10) or carotid vessels (5/10 versus 1/10). Lower limb pulses were palpated in response to symptoms or signs of PAD. In England 25% of practitioners, and in the RoI 55% of practitioners, reported that they do not measure ankle-brachial index (ABI).

CONCLUSION

Currently, detection of PAD is generally triggered by 'classical' leg claudication symptoms, while known vascular risk factors appear to elicit little consideration. ABI measurement is not performed by many practitioners, suggesting that a proportion of vascular referrals must be based on history and examination findings alone. Opportunities to recognise PAD are missed.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Lower Extremity Arterial Disease-A Survey among Family Medicine Trainees in Poland

Guidelines point to the ankle-brachial index (ABI) as a non-invasive tool for the initial diagnosis of lower extremity artery disease (LEAD). Questions have been raised whether primary practices should perform ABI. An online questionnaire was distributed among family medicine trainees in two academic centers in Poland. The questionnaire aimed to establish their knowledge about LEAD management and their opinion on the usefulness of ABI measurement and other LEAD diagnostic methods in primary care. ABI measurement was found either very or moderately useful in LEAD diagnosis by 94.5% of the respondents. Among the three most important elements of LEAD management, lifestyle changes, secondary prevention of atherosclerosis and exercise treatment were chosen, respectively, by 98.6%, 83.6% and 72.6% of them. ABI was seen as a useful diagnostic method at the primary care by 74% of the participants; however, 82.2% of them do not have access to ABI measurement in their workplace. The residents have good knowledge of the diagnostic methods of LEAD and consider ABI measurement as useful in LEAD diagnosis. However, most of them do not have access to ABI measurements in their clinical practices. Future discussion and potential financial changes will be needed for the introduction of ABI measurements into Polish primary care.

Perceptions of primary care and hospital clinicians on the use of the Ankle Brachial Pressure Index in general practice

INTRODUCTION Peripheral arterial disease is an increasingly prevalent chronic illness globally. The Ankle Brachial Pressure Index (ABPI) is a well-established, simple, relatively quick and non-invasive assessment useful in diagnosing and quantifying peripheral arterial disease. ABPIs may be currently underutilised in general practice. AIM To explore perspectives of health professionals on the role of the ABPI. METHODS One-to-one interviews were conducted with health professionals using snowball sampling. Questions centred around interviewees' education on, experience with and view on the usefulness of the ABPI in general practice. Interviews were recorded and used for thematic analysis. RESULTS Participants consisted of 13 health-care professionals: nine general practitioners, two vascular surgeons and two allied health professionals. Most general practitioners interviewed identified benefits of ABPIs use in primary care, including aiding peripheral arterial disease diagnostics, management, referral and triage. No general practitioners stated they had ever had formal training in undertaking ABPIs. Two of the nine general practitioners stated regular ABPI use in their practice. Participants who did not use ABPIs identified practical barriers to its use in general practice, including cost of equipment, length of time needed and perceived low patient need to justify cost. All interviewees agreed that there was a role for ABPI use in the community if barriers were overcome. DISCUSSION There was consensus among general practitioners that ABPI use is beneficial. Many general practitioners named similar practical barriers to more common use of ABPIs in general practice. They saw a role for ABPIs in primary care, although it may be more practical as a tool for specialised individual clinicians to use for communities, given practical barriers of cost, time and perceived low patient need. Formal training could be considered, as none of the interviewed general practitioners had ever had any.

[Use of the ankle-brachial index in the detection of peripheral arterial disease of the lower extremities in general medicine]

INTRODUCTION

Peripheral arterial disease of the lower extremities (PAD) is a serious condition, frequently under-evaluated. Long asymptomatic, it is easily detected by measuring the ankle-brachial index (ABI), a reference tool that is reliable, reproducible, simple and inexpensive. The objective of this thesis was to determine the rate of achievement of ABI in French Haute Autorité de santé indications, identify the associated factors and prioritize the obstacles to achieving ABI.

METHODS

Descriptive and analytical epidemiological study, with analysis of practices, prospectively addressed by postal questionnaire to a randomized sample of 220 general practitioners practicing in the European Metropolis of Lille between December 15, 2016 and February 15, 2017.

RESULTS

Our sample consisted of 92 GPs (42% participation). Among them, only 6 practiced ABI, notably for: intermittent claudication (n=5: 5%, IC95% [1; 10]), the existence of at least 2 cardiovascular risk factors (n=2: 2%, IC95% [0; 5]), diabetic patients over 40 years of age (n=2: 2%, IC95% [0; 5]), patients with diabetes (n=2: 2%, IC95% [0; 5]), patients with diabetes (n=2: 1%, IC95% [0; 5]), patients with diabetes (n=2: 1%, IC95% [0; 5]), and patients with diabetes (n=2: 1%, IC95% [0; 5]): 2%, CI95% [0; 5]), patients over 50 years of age with a history of diabetes or smoking (n=2: 2%, CI95% [0; 5]), or those with an unhealed lower extremity skin lesion (n=5: 5%, CI95% [1; 10]). The most frequently cited barriers were: the prescription of a routine echo-doppler (61%, 95% CI [51; 71]), lack of control (46%, 95% CI [36; 56]), time considered too long (17%, 95% CI [10; 25]), and equipment purchase or maintenance (19%, 95% CI [10.5; 26.4]).

CONCLUSION

ABI is few used in our sample, mainly due to delegation to angiologists.

[Study of practices: What do general practitioners first propose when faced with asymptomatic lower extremity peripheral artery disease?]

INTRODUCTION

Peripheral artery disease of lower limbs (PAD) can be discovered at an asymptomatic stage by the realization of systolic pressure indices. The 2006 recommendations of the French National Authority for Health on AOMI encourage the systematic prescription of antiplatelet agents; the 2012 recommendations on the proper use of antiplatelet agents no longer encourage it in the case of asymptomatic PAD. These two recommendations still coexist. Our objective was to determine the management of an asymptomatic PAD by general practitioners.

METHODS

Descriptive and analytical epidemiological study, with analysis of practices, prospectively addressed by postal questionnaire to a randomized sample of 220 GPs practicing in the European Metropolis of Lille between December 15, 2016 and February 15, 2017. The question was: "if an asymptomatic PAD is discovered in a 50-year-old patient who is otherwise in good general condition, what do you generally do?"

RESULTS

Our sample was 92 general practitioners (42% participation). Of these, only 6 were practicing HPIs. Before an asymptomatic PAD, management included an opinion from an angiologist (84%) and/or a cardiologist (75%) before the drug was prescribed (antiplatelet agent for 57%, statin for 33% and ACE inhibitor for 14%).

CONCLUSION

The extension assessment was carried out in more than 8 out of 10 cases. The use of antiplatelet antiaggregants was significant, which can be explained by the coexistence of divergent recommendations. The rapid clarification of recommendations is essential with the evolution of scientific data.

[Ankle-brachial index screening for peripheral artery disease in high cardiovascular risk patients. Prospective observational study of 370 asymptomatic patients at high cardiovascular risk]

INTRODUCTION

Peripheral arterial disease is a marker of systemic atherosclerosis; it is associated with a high risk of cardiovascular disease. The aim of our study was to assess the prevalence of peripheral arterial disease by measuring the ankle-brachial pressure index in patients at high cardiovascular risk and to study the risk factors associated with this disease.

METHODOLOGY

This was a descriptive and analytic cross-sectional study which focused on 370 patients seen at the medical consultation for atherosclerosis prevention. The ankle-brachial index was measured with a portable Doppler (BIDOP 3) using 4 and 8Hz dual frequency probes. The standards were: normal ankle-brachial index 0.9 to 1.3; peripheral artery obstructive disease ankle-brachial index less than 0.9; poorly compressible artery (medial arterial calcification) ankle-brachial index greater than 1.3. Cardiovascular risk factors were also studied.

RESULTS

Three hundred and seventy subjects (mean age 65.5±8.7years) were screened Cardiovascular risk factors were: sedentary lifestyle (91.5 %), hypertension (68.1 %), elevated LDL-cholesterolemia (36.3 %), diabetes (48.3 %) and tobacco smoking (33.8 %). The prevalence of peripheral artery disease was 32.4 % of which 77.5 % were asymptomatic. We found a significant correlation with smoking, diabetes, dyslipidemia and the presence of coronary artery disease or vascular cerebral disease. Screening for peripheral arterial disease (PAD) with the ankle-brachial index has increased the percentage of polyvascular patients from 6.2 to 29 %. Factors independently associated with PAD were advanced age, presence of cardiovascular disease, smoking and glycated hemoglobin.

CONCLUSION

PAD is a common condition in people at high cardiovascular risk, the frequency of asymptomatic forms justifies the screening with pocket Doppler which is a simple, inexpensive and effective test to assess the overall cardiovascular risk.

Detection of peripheral arterial disease with an improved automated device: comparison of a new oscillometric device and the standard Doppler method

In occidental countries, peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is an important health issue; however, most subjects are asymptomatic (~50%) and therefore undiagnosed and untreated. Current guidelines recommend screening for PAD in primary care setting using ankle brachial index (ABI) in all patients with cardiovascular risks. This is, however, not performed strictly because the standard Doppler method is cumbersome and time-consuming. Here, we evaluate the accuracy and reproducibility of ABI measurements obtained by an improved automated oscillometric device, the MESI ABPI MD(®) device, and the standard Doppler method. ABI was measured in random order in a general practice with Doppler probes by two operators separately (ABI_dop) and twice with the MESI ABPI MD device (ABI_mesi). ABI_dop was calculated dividing the highest systolic blood pressure from both tibial and dorsalis pedis arteries by the highest systolic blood pressure of both brachial arteries. ABI_mesi was obtained automatically with simultaneous measurements on three extremities. According to ABI_dop, PAD was present in 10% of the 136 screened subjects (68.2±7.4 years). Interoperator coefficient of variation was 5.5% for ABI_dop, while the intrasubject coefficient of variation for ABI_mesi was 3.0%. ABI_mesi was correlated with ABI_dop (R=0.61, P<0.0001). The difference between the two techniques was 0.06±0.14 with ABI_mesi providing slightly higher values (P<0.0001) and negligible bias across the range (R=0.19, P<0.0001). Therefore, ABI_mesi ≤1 had a sensitivity of 85% and specificity of 96% to detect ABI_dop ≤0.9 and hence PAD. Doppler measurements took seven times longer than MESI ABPI MD measurements to be performed. In conclusion, MESI improved automated oscillometric method and offered a faster and repeatable measurement of ABI with only a small, clinically irrelevant overestimation of ABI value. The tested MESI ABPI MD-improved oscillometric system can be used as a screening tool for patients in general practice and would enable family doctors to comply with current guidelines for PAD.

[Lower limb peripheral arterial disease in 268 patients in Guadeloupe]

Peripheral arterial disease of the lower limbs is a serious condition because of its local and general prognosis.

OBJECTIVES

To identify the localization of peripheral arterial disease, associated risk factors, topography and features of the disease in Guadeloupe.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A descriptive non-interventional study was performed in Guadeloupe located in French West Indies from March to June 2014. Data for all patients, who underwent Doppler ultrasound of the lower limb in a vascular outpatient clinic and in the University Hospital in Guadeloupe for known or suspected peripheral arterial disease were included.

RESULTS

The study included 268 patients. Localizations were: infrapopliteal (n=227 patients), popliteal (n=148), femoral (n=185) and aorto-iliac (n=115). Smoking was associated with aorto-iliac (16 patients; P<0.05) and femoral (27 patients; P<0.05) localizations. Diabetes was associated with infrapopliteal localizations (133 patients; P<0.05), and high blood pressure was associated with infrapopliteal, popliteal and femoral localizations. Mean age was 73.1±10.8 years; half of patients (51 %) were women. Peripheral arterial disease was known for 52 % of the population; 147 patients were asymptomatic. Associated factors were high blood pressure (88 %), diabetes (63 %), dyslipidemia (45 %), and smoking (7 %). Ischemic heart disease was found in 14 % of patients, cerebrovascular disease in 18 % and all three localizations in 4 %. A history of amputation, bypass or endovascular treatment was found in 11 %, 20 % and 32 % of patients respectively.

CONCLUSION

In our population, an infrapopliteal site was more often found than a proximal site. Distal localization was associated with diabetes, and proximal localization with smoking. Cardiovascular risk factors exhibited an atypical pattern with a large majority of patients (88 %) having high blood pressure, two-thirds diabetes, but with very few (7 %) smokers. Peripheral arterial disease was more often associated with a history of stroke than with ischemic heart disease.