DIGITAL ALLEN'S

TEST

​​• Test positioning

Both the client and therapist may sit or stand.

​• Action

The client is instructed to make a fist several times in succession in order to "pump" the blood out of the hand and fingers.

The client is then instructed to maintain a fist while the therapist compresses the radial artery with the thumb and the ulnar artery with the fingers.

As the client relaxes the hand, the therapist releases pressure from one artery at a time and observes the color of the hand and fingers.

​• Positive finding

A delay in or absence of flushing of the radial or ulnar half of the hand and fingers is indicative of partial or complete occlusion of the radial or ulnar arteries, respectively.

​• Special considerations & comments

This test should always be performed and compared bilaterally.

Should a positive finding be present bilaterally, the examiner should consider brachial artery involvement.

The Digital Allen's Test, adapted from Allen's Test by Dr. Edgar Van Nuys Allen, incorporates principles from vascular assessment to evaluate blood flow in the hand, with contributions from Dr. Michael DeBakey and Dr. Denton Cooley.