Toe-brachial index

The toe-brachial index is an examination used in the evaluation of peripheral artery disease. It's related to the ankle-brachial index. In cases of arterial sclerosis which gives falsely elevated ABI, a toe-brachial index (TBI) should be measured. Digital arteries are frequently spared from diabetes and ESRD-induced arterial sclerosis.

Measuring the toe-brachial index requires special equipment, including a blood pressure cuff designed for toes, and a special photo transducer (plethysmograph) to measure the blood flow in the toe. A Doppler probe may be used instead.

• TBI > 0,7 = normal value
• TBI < 0,7 = diagnostic for PAD