In this digital day and age, you might not be surprised to hear me ask if you’ve had your digital pressure taken recently? Of course, I mean your toe and finger pressure – simple to forget but important not to ignore.
Today, we’re specifically talking about Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD), which is when the arteries to the legs get either completely or partially blocked, most commonly due to atherosclerotic (cholesterol) plaques. These blockages lead to intermittent claudication, a leg pain in the patient’s calf as a result of walking, which eases at rest. Many might consider this calf pain as fairly normal, and ignore the symptoms, especially if they felt normal again when resting. If Peripheral Arterial Disease is left unchecked, it may become more advanced, eventually leading to pain at rest, leg ulcers and even gangrene.
PAD has previously been diagnosed with a physical examination by a GP, who would compare blood pressure in the patient’s arm and ankle. A difference in the two readings would be a possible indication of PAD. Whilst this technique has been in use for over half a century, it comes with problems; most notably the need for operator training and that the patient can experience some discomfort throughout the process. We now have the ‘SysToe’ machine, meaning PAD can be quite easily diagnosed with a simple reading of the Toe Brachial Index (TBI). This reading can also be used following diagnosis to track disease and help aid recovery.
So why is the SysToe system so great?
The SysToe system is a fully automated clinically validated patented device. It is not operator dependent so gives reliable and repeatable measurements. This not only saves on NHS time and money, but also helps to create more accurate diagnosis than ever before. It’s the full automation which make the SysToe so great; once the cuff and the sensor are placed on the toe (an easy job for anyone to do), just press the START button for cuff inflation and deflation to take place at the data value displayed within three minutes.
For the quick assessment of lower limb arterial diseases, the SysToe is a must have piece of equipment. Fast measurements, accurate and reproducible results, time & money saving; can your surgery or clinic not afford to have one?