Question:

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

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Incompressible calcified arteries give a falsely high ankle pressure.
Updated On: Jun 24, 2026
  • Arteriosclerosis with calcified arteries
  • Ischemic ulcers
  • Intermittent claudication
  • Deep vein thrombosis
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: The ABPI is the ratio of ankle systolic blood pressure to brachial (arm) systolic blood pressure. A low ratio suggests blocked arteries from peripheral artery disease.

Step 2: When the leg arteries are heavily calcified (medial calcific sclerosis, common in diabetes and chronic kidney disease), they become incompressible by the cuff. This falsely raises the recorded ankle pressure, giving an artificially high ABPI.

Step 3: Ischemic ulcers and intermittent claudication actually LOWER the ABPI, and DVT is a venous problem that does not raise it. Hence calcified arteriosclerotic arteries artificially elevate the ABPI.
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