The Ankle Brachial Pressure Index (ABI) is a measurement based on the ratio of the blood pressure in the lower legs and the pressure in the arm. This comparison is used to diagnose potential diseases and blocked arteries. To perform the test, healthcare professionals require a blood pressure cuff and a Doppler wand (also known as a Doppler ultrasound blood flow detector).

People with ABI Doppler values between 0.9 and 1.3 are considered to have normal pressure, but an ABI Doppler value greater than 1.3 is an indication of some underlying abnormality. Patients with such readings typically suffer from some form of peripheral vascular disease.

The ABI Doppler measurement is not very popular among healthcare professionals because of how difficult and time-consuming the test can be. The results of an ABI Doppler test can also be unreliable. Patients with stiff arteries tend to give false pressure readings, which results in inaccurate results. This is common with people suffering from renal failure or diabetes. There are, however, alternate methods that can be used to calculate the ABI measurement. In the last decade, advancements in technology have led to the creation of alternate devices by many top medical manufacturers. Some of these devices are designed around an oscillometric system that allows people to simultaneously measure the blood pressure at the upper arm and the ankles of the patient.

Regardless of the type of test being conducted, it is vital that healthcare professionals pay careful attention to the quality of the equipment being sold. Not surprisingly, many people prefer to shop for their medical equipment online because it is more convenient. Instead of visiting a traditional supplier several times during the week, hospitals can simply place their orders online. Online purchases also make it a lot easier to compare prices.

Another important factor that has encouraged the growth of online purchases is the related cost. Online suppliers tend to have lower prices than traditional stores. There are many reasons for this. One reason is the stiff competition among online marketers. Another is the lowered payables that online suppliers are able to benefit from.

Sadly, the Web is filled with bad equipment that is being sold falsely under recognized brand names. That's where good research comes in. The only way to avoid buying inferior or fake equipment is to purchase it from legitimate suppliers. This will guarantee that the medical equipment you buy has been properly tested and guaranteed to work. Avoid buying your medical equipment from stores with no warranties.

Here at Medical Device Depot, we are committed to changing the way physicians and healthcare professionals buy their equipment online. We understand the importance of having orders delivered on time and with minimal difficulty. That's why our phones are always manned by qualified representatives, and not some automated service. Call us at 877-646-3300 for more information on dopplers.