Ankle/Brachial Indices (ABI) Ultrasound

 ABI / Peripheral Ultrasound

What is an ABI Ultrasound?

An ABI is an ultrasound of your legs. Ultrasound is a procedure that uses sound waves to "see" inside your body. This procedure is performed to evaluate possible narrowing of the vessels in your leg(s) resulting in symptoms including leg pain when walking, resting leg pain, foot, ankle, heel or toe ulcers or skin discoloration.

Before Your Exam

No special preparation is required for this procedure.  Please wear comfortable clothing.  If necessary you may be asked to walk on a treadmill.

During Your Exam

  • The nurse or tech performing the test will explain the test to you and answer any questions you may have.
  • Your test will be performed with you lying on a stretcher on your back with your hands at your sides or on your stomach.
  • A transducer, a small, microphone-like device, will be placed over various locations on your legs.  You will hear your heart beat (pulse) when the transducer is placed over the artery in your leg.  Additionally, blood pressure readings will be taken at various locations in your legs and in your arms. You will not feel any pain; however you will feel mild pressure from the blood pressure cuff and the transducer.
  • Sound waves will bounce off the blood that is moving in your arteries (tubes that carry blood from your heart). This creates "echoes." The echoes are reflected back to the transducer.
  • A television monitor shows images as the transducer converts the echoes to electronic signals. 
  • Additionally, you may hear unusual sounds as the nurse or tech views and records the blood flowing through the veins and arteries in your leg(s).
  • Your exam will take approximately 30 minutes; however, in some cases you may be asked to do some exercise which will take additional time. The exercise could be 10-15 minutes.

After Your Exam

If a Cardiology Associates of Gainesville (CAG) physician or nurse practitioner ordered your test, you should receive your test results either by telephone or by mail in approximately 7 business days. After that time, if you have not received your test results, you may call our office at 352-264-2500 ext. 499 to reach our patient message center. You will need to leave your name, telephone number, date and type of testing, and the ordering physician’s name. You will receive a call back within 24 hours with an update regarding your test results.

If a physician other than CAG ordered your test, please contact their office for your test results.