BP Difference Between Arms Correlates with Vascular Disease and Mortality

A meta-analysis found significant associations, although the test's sensitivity was low.

Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) is usually asymptomatic. It can be detected noninvasively using the ankle-brachial index, but differences in systolic blood pressure (SBP) between arms also can reflect PVD. Some guidelines recommend checking pressure in both arms, but few clinicians do so regularly.

To determine the diagnostic and predictive value of a difference in SBP between arms, British investigators conducted a meta-analysis of 20 studies in which between-arm SBP difference was correlated with historical or concomitant vascular disease (detected invasively or noninvasively) or future mortality. In studies using angiography, a between-arm SBP difference of ≥10 mm Hg was strongly associated with concomitant subclavian stenosis (risk rat…

Reviewing Authors

Bruce Soloway, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsNew RoAR News (http://www.newroarnews.org)

Bruce Soloway, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsNew RoAR News (http://www.newroarnews.org)

JoAnne M. Foody, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardAegerion; Amarin; Bristol-Myers Squibb; Janssen; Merck; Pfizer; Sanofi-Aventis; Boehringer Ingelheim

Leadership positions in professional societiesAmerican College of Cardiology, Cardiosmart (Co-chair)

JoAnne M. Foody, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardAegerion; Amarin; Bristol-Myers Squibb; Janssen; Merck; Pfizer; Sanofi-Aventis; Boehringer Ingelheim

Leadership positions in professional societiesAmerican College of Cardiology, Cardiosmart (Co-chair)

BP Difference Between Arms Correlates with Vascular Disease and Mortality

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