What ABI score typically indicates ischemic rest pain?

An ankle-brachial index (ABI) score in the range of 0.3 to 0.5 is typically indicative of ischemic rest pain, which occurs due to inadequate blood flow to the lower extremities, particularly during periods of rest. This condition can arise from severe peripheral artery disease (PAD), resulting in significant ischemia, particularly in the presence of critical limb ischemia.

An ABI score of 0.3 to 0.5 suggests that there is severely reduced blood flow, often leading to pain at rest, non-healing wounds, or ulcers. This low score indicates a serious level of arterial occlusion or stenosis, which is critical for clinicians to recognize in order to develop a care plan to manage the patient's symptoms and prevent further complications.

Other score ranges such as 0.5 to 0.9 are generally associated with mild to moderate claudication, 1.0 to 1.2 reflects normal arterial function, and values above 1.2 may indicate vascular calcification or other concerns. Understanding these scoring ranges helps practitioners assess the severity of peripheral artery disease and the urgency of interventions needed for the patient's vascular health.