Q: Blood Pressure (BP) obtained from the lower extremity is usually _______________ than the BP obtained from the arm? - select one
A) higher
B) lower
Answer: A
Although undesirable, BP from the lower extremities can be obtained if needed, particularly in End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) patients with vascular fistulae. Patients with a known history of coarctation of the aorta may also require that.
The systolic blood pressure in the lower extremity is usually higher than that in the upper extremity (measured from brachial artery). This is true for both the calf and the ankle. In the calf, the difference on average is about 10 mmHg higher, and in the ankle 17 mmHg higher.
While obtaining BP in the lower extremity, the cuff center should align with the popliteal artery.
#cardiology
#procedures
References:
1. Sheppard JP, Lacy P, Lewis PS, Martin U; Blood Pressure Measurement Working Party of the British and Irish Hypertension Society. Measurement of blood pressure in the leg-a statement on behalf of the British and Irish Hypertension Society. J Hum Hypertens. 2020 Jun;34(6):418-419. doi: 10.1038/s41371-020-0325-5. Epub 2020 Apr 22. PMID: 32322006; PMCID: PMC7299841.
2. McDonagh STJ, Sheppard JP, Warren FC, Boddy K, Farmer L, Shore H, Williams P, Lewis PS, Baumber R, Fordham J, Martin U, Aboyans V, Clark CE; INTERPRESS-IPD Collaborators. Arm Based on LEg blood pressures (ABLE-BP): can systolic leg blood pressure measurements predict systolic brachial blood pressure? Protocol for an individual participant data meta-analysis from the INTERPRESS-IPD Collaboration. BMJ Open. 2021 Mar 19;11(3):e040481. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-040481. PMID: 33741659; PMCID: PMC7986760.