Circulatory disorders are among the most common causes of chronic illnesses and serious complications such as amputations, wound healing disorders, or cardiovascular events. At the same time, they often go unnoticed for a long time – especially in the early stages. The solution? A structured, holistic vascular screening as an integral part of daily medical practice. In this blog post, we explain why early detection is more than just a single vascular check.
Why Perform a Vascular Screening?
Many patients with PAD (peripheral arterial disease) or venous insufficiency show no or only non-specific symptoms in the beginning. Studies show: Up to 50% of PAD cases go undiagnosed – and thus untreated.¹ This can lead to serious secondary conditions that could be avoided with timely diagnostics.
A professional vascular screening enables:
- Early detection of arterial or venous disorders – even before symptoms appear
- Risk stratification in patients with pre-existing conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, or metabolic syndrome
- Documentation and monitoring of existing vascular diseases
- Prevention of complications that would require hospitalization or invasive interventions
What Does a Screening with AngE™ Look Like in Practice?
A modern vascular check doesn’t have to take much time – on the contrary: Our AngE™ system is designed to be integrated into clinical and outpatient workflows quickly, efficiently, and in a delegable way.
Here’s how it works:
- Preparation: The patient lies down and relaxes for a few minutes.
- Sensor placement: Four cuffs are applied to the wrists and ankles, and two PPG sensors are attached to the big toes.
- Start the screening: With just one click, the fully automated measurement begins – no manual operation or blood pressure measurement needed.
- Results: Within 1 minute, the results are displayed automatically on screen – clearly laid out and easy to interpret.
Benefits for the team and patients:
- Easy to apply – even by non-physician medical staff
- High patient acceptance due to fast, painless execution
- Reliable early detection of vascular disorders – preventing serious complications like amputations
- Automatic documentation for follow-up and patient records
Screen Holistically – Multiparametric & Evidence-Based
Effective vascular screening goes beyond the traditional ABI. While the Ankle-Brachial Index is a proven baseline value, it’s not always sufficient for high-risk patients. That’s why it’s crucial to combine multiple parameters in a multiparametric approach:
- ABI (Ankle-Brachial Index) – standard value for assessing arterial circulation
- TBI (Toe-Brachial Index) – ideal for patients with medial sclerosis and diabetes
- PWI™ (Pulse Wave Index) – blood pressure-independent, detects post-stenotic flow changes
- PWV (Pulse Wave Velocity) – indicates arterial stiffness
- Venous function parameters such as T0 and V0 – identify venous reflux disorders
This comprehensive approach not only leads to more accurate diagnoses, but also enables more personalized treatment planning.
Conclusion: Vascular Screening as a Key to Better Care
It pays off to focus on the vascular system – especially in times of increasing chronic illness and limited healthcare resources. Clinics and practices that integrate vascular screening into daily routines not only improve patient care, but also set a standard for modern, preventive medicine.
📩 Interested in modern, delegable vascular diagnostics? Contact us or visit the Vascular Academy for hands-on training and continuing education.
Source:
¹ Hirsch AT et al. (2001): Peripheral Arterial Disease Detection, Awareness, and Treatment in Primary Care. JAMA. 2001 Sep 19;286(11):1317-24. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11560536/
