Peripheral Arterial Disease

Comprehensive Vascular and Endovascular Care


What is Peripheral Arterial Disease?

Q: What is peripheral arterial disease and how is it caused?
A: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) occurs when atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, caused a buildup of plaque in the blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients to all the tissues of the body.  As these plaques worsen, they reduce essential blood flow to the limbs and can even cause complete blockage of the arteries.

Q: How serious is PAD?
A: Early on, PAD may only cause difficulty walking, but in its most severe forms it can cause foot ulcers, infections and even gangrene, which could require amputation.  People with PAD are also three times more likely to die of heart attacks or strokes than those without PAD.

Q: What are the major risk factors for PAD?
A:

  • Hypertension (high blood pressure)
  • Diabetes
  • Smoking
  • High cholesterol levels
  • A family history of serious vascular problems
  • More common in men than women

Q: What are the symptoms of PAD?
A:

  • Claudication, or pain in the muscles of the legs during walking or other exercise
  • Pain in the ball of the foot or toes
  • Nighttime foot pains that improves when hanging one’s foot over the side of the bed.
  • Ulcers or sores on the foot, ankle or toes that will not heal.
  • Blue or black discoloration of the toes.

Q: What can be done to reduce the risk of serious complications associated with PAD?
A:

  • Follow a healthier diet and a regular, vigorous exercise program.
  • Do not smoke or use any tobacco products
  • Keep your blood pressure and cholesterol under control
  • If you’re diabetic, get good medical treatment and regular exams.

Q: How is PAD diagnosed?
A: In most cases, a physical exam by your doctor can detect PAD.  But it’s not always easy to tell how severe it is, particularly if you have diabetes.  PAD can be accurately measured by, non-invasive tests using a Doppler flowmeter or ultrasound scan.  This type of vascular testing can be performed in minutes without any risk or discomfort.

Q: What can happen if PAD gets worse?
A: Severe blockage in the arterial circulation lead to a progressive decrease in the oxygen supplied to tissues.  This results in critical limb ischemia (CLI), which may cause worsening pain, ulcers of the foot or toes that do not heal and worsening or repeated foot infections.  If left untreated, CLI can lead to gangrene, which could eventually require amputation.

Q: What are the benefits of receiving medical treatment for PAD?
A:

  • Treatment can reduce your blood cholesterol.
  • Treatment can help you walk farther.
  • Treatment can reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke.
  • Treatment can significantly reduce the risks of the most serious complications of PAD.

Q: What procedures are available to treat CLI?
A:

  • An arteriogram shows the exact location and severity of arterial blockages.  A doctor uses this information to determine the best treatment options for improving circulation to the legs.
  • An intervention may be needed if circulation to the legs and feet has become critically low.
  • A non-surgical intervention, such as a balloon angioplasty, can open up blocked arteries and improve circulation without many of the risks and discomforts associated with surgery.
  • A surgical revascularization is used when non-surgical interventions aren’t enough to restore circulation.  This usually involves a bypass procedure, in which a “replacement artery” is inserted to router blood flow around blocked segments of the artery.

Q: How effective is treatment of CLI?
A:

  • Treatment significantly improves circulation in more than 90% of cases.
  • Early diagnosis and effective treatment helps stop the spread of gangrene and in most cases can prevent it completely.
  • Prompt treatment helps prevent more that 80% of all amputations.

Q: Where can I learn more about peripheral arterial disease and critical limb ischemia?
A: Ultimately, the success of the American Vascular Association (AVA) program depends on educating the public about the critical importance of vascular disease.  It’s essential that all of our patients learn how best to protect and enhance their vascular wellness.

 

For more information on the AVA and its Screening Program, and other information about vascular problems, Please visit them at: www.vascularweb.org or call 1-877-AVA-2010.

 

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