Toe Brachial Index (TBI)

The Toe-Brachial Index (TBI) is a medical test used to assess blood flow and circulation in the lower extremities, specifically the toes. It is similar to the Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI), which measures blood pressure in the arms and ankles. A TBI involves comparing the blood pressure in the toe with that in the arm. A blood pressure cuff is placed around the arm and inflated to measure the brachial pressure, and another cuff is placed around the toe to measure the toe pressure. By dividing the toe pressure by the brachial pressure, the TBI is calculated. A TBI is commonly used as a non-invasive screening tool to assess peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in individuals who may have reduced blood flow to their lower extremities. A lower TBI value may indicate decreased blood flow and potential circulation problems in the toes, which can be a sign of PAD or other vascular conditions.

This test usually takes between 10 minutes to complete.

A Toe Brachial Index Pressure Study (TBI) assesses the ratio between the blood pressure in your arm compared to the arteries in your toe at rest. A blood pressure cuff, sphygmomanometer, hand held doppler with a pencil probe and PPG will be used for this study. We will require you to remove your shoes and socks, as well as your jumper. We will ask you to lie down on the examination bed and will place a blood pressure cuff and PPG on your toe. The blood pressure cuff will be inflated and then deflated to determine the pressure. We will use the hand-held Doppler to find the arteries and then inflate/deflate the blood pressure cuff to determine the blood pressure. We will then place a blood pressure cuff around your arm and use the hand-held Doppler to find the arteries and then inflate/deflate the blood pressure cuff to determine the blood pressure.

A TBI is a non invasive and relatively simple test that can provide valuable information about the circulation in the feet, aiding in the diagnosis and management of PVD. The Toe-Brachial Index (TBI) is performed to assess blood flow and circulation in the lower extremities, specifically in the toes. It is primarily done to screen for peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and to evaluate the severity of the condition. A TBI is conducted to evaluate the blood pressure in the toes compared to the blood pressure in the arms. By comparing these values, the TBI can provide an indication of the degree of arterial blockage or narrowing in the lower extremities. A low TBI value suggests reduced blood flow to the toes, indicating potential PAD. This information helps healthcare professionals diagnose the condition and determine the appropriate course of treatment, which may include lifestyle modifications, medication, or more invasive interventions like angioplasty or bypass surgery.