Ankle-brachial index obtained by photoplethysmography as a marker of asymptomatic peripheral artery disease in prehypertensive patients

Introduction: Peripheral artery disease (PAD) may present with no symptoms at all, hence the need for diagnosis to avoid complications. Objective: To determine the presence of peripheral artery disease by means of the ankle-brachial index obtained by photoplethysmography in prehypertensive patients. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in a population of 35 patients over 18 years of age, with a presumptive diagnosis of prehypertension, belonging to the Family Doctor's Office 2 from the Policlinico Universitario Josue Pais Garcia in Santiago de Cuba. The ANGIODIN (R) PD 3000 digital plethysmograph was used to measure the ankle-brachial index. Results: None of the patients had symptoms of PAD, but after measuring the ankle-brachial index, 51.43% of them were found to have signs of this disease. Peripheral artery disease was more frequent in men (52.94 vs. 50.0%), with no significant statistical differences (p>0.05). Conclusions: The ankle-brachial index obtained by photoplethysmography was useful in determining the presence of asymptomatic peripheral artery disease in prehypertensive patients. A high incidence of the disease was identified, with a in the male sex.