Ankle–brachial index and carotid ultrasound
BLOOD
Blood pressure in both arms and ankles was measured in all participants in a supine position after at least 5 minutes of rest. The ankle BP was measured in the bilateral dorsalis pedis and posterior tibial arteries using an inflatable leg-cuff, an aneroid sphygmomanometer, and a handheld Doppler instrument with a 5-MHz probe. The ankle–brachial index (ABI) was calculated by dividing the highest ankle pressure by the highest BP of both arms. An ABI of ⩽ 0.90 or ⩾ 1.40 in either leg was defined as abnormal. Ultrasound examinations of the carotid and lower-limb arteries have been described in detail.