Implementing Outpatient Screening of Adult Patients at High Risk for Peripheral Artery Disease

The study aimed to improve the diagnosis and management of peripheral artery disease (PAD) in high-risk asymptomatic patients by implementing the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology (AHA/ACC) standardized ankle-brachial index (ABI) screening in an outpatient cardiology center. The project found a 31.6% increase in ABI ordering for patients with physical signs and symptoms, although the increase for asymptomatic patients was not significant. Overall, there was a 15% increase in ABI orders post-intervention. The study suggests that integrating ABI screening into clinic policies can enhance PAD management in outpatient cardiac centers.