How a seconds-long toe scan with AI could widen access to PAD screening

MedicalXpress | mai 16, 2026

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) affects 8 to 12 million Americans. The condition is caused by the buildup of plaque (cholesterol and other substances) inside blood vessels, restricting blood flow to the legs and disproportionately impacts marginalized communities. A leading cause of limb amputation, PAD often goes undetected until patients experience complications, in part because diagnosis requires a visit to a specialized clinic for a time-consuming and cumbersome ankle-brachial index (ABI) test.