Task force finds insufficient evidence on peripheral artery disease test.

CQ (3/19, Norman, Subscription Publication) reports that, according to a draft recommendation issued by the US Preventive Services Task Force on Monday, "there's not enough evidence to judge the effectiveness of a particular blood pressure screening method that detects whether plaque has built up in the arteries, especially the legs." Noting that the recommendation "applies only to people who do not have symptoms of peripheral artery disease" or have been diagnosed with cardiovascular disease, CQ adds that, "for those without symptoms, task force members said in their draft that there's not enough scientific evidence right now to pass judgment on the benefits or harms of the blood pressure screening known as the ankle brachial index, or ABI."

        HealthDay (3/19) also reports on the story.