ABOUT THE DISEASE

Peripheral vascular disease is the reduced circulation of blood to areas of body like arms, legs, stomach, kidneys, i.e other than the brain or heart. It is caused by a narrowed or blocked blood vessel. The main cause is atherosclerosis, which is the build-up of fatty deposits that narrow a blood vessel, usually an artery. In cases of acute limb ischemia, this disease can become life threatening and may require emergency intervention.

SYMPTOMS

• • Intermittent pain (claudication), usually in the legs
• • Worsening pain during exercise, relieved on rest
• • Coldness of the affected body part
• • Numbness
• • Muscular weakness
• • Blue or purple tinge to the skin
• • Non healing wound/ ulcer

CAUSES

The Major cause is atherosclerosis that reduces blood flow to the area. Other causes include:
- Diabetes
- Obstruction – as by a blood clot (thrombus)
- Infection
- Arteritis
- Blood vessel spasms –as in Raynaud’s disease

DIAGNOSIS

- Clinical Evaluation
- Ankle/brachial index (ABI) test
- Doppler imaging
- MRA (Magnetic resonance angiogram)
- CT Angiogram
- Angiography

TREATMENT METHODS

­Treatment options include:

• Medications – anti platelets, anti hypertensives, statins
• Angioplasty
• Stent placement
• Atherectomy
• Bypass surgery
• Lifestyle changes

You may also like to learn about:

Diabetes mellitus
Gangrene
Arteritis
Raynauds disease
Deep vein thrombosis
Syphilis