Peripheral Artery Disease

Peripheral artery disease, also known as PAD, is a common vascular condition involving a buildup of plaque within the peripheral arteries of the limbs, usually the legs and feet. Plaque is an accumulation of fat, cholesterol, calcium and other substances in the blood. The buildup of plaque can severely narrow or block the arteries and limit the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the body. PAD may be a symptom of atherosclerosis, a specific form of arteriosclerosis, which leads to a more widespread occurrence of plaque buildup in arteries.

Causes of PAD

There are many causative factors involved in the development of PAD. Causes or risk factors for PAD may include the following:

  • Increasing age
  • Lack of exercise
  • Smoking
  • Diabetes
  • Obesity
  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • Family history of PAD or other circulatory problems
  • High levels of homocysteine, a protein

More uncommon causes of PAD may include limb injury, anomalies of anatomy, blood vessel inflammation or radiation exposure.

Symptoms of PAD

Patients with PAD may be asymptomatic. For those who experience symptoms, those symptoms may vary in kind or severity from patient to patient. Symptoms in the affected area may include:

  • Claudication, pain or cramping when walking
  • Numbness or weakness
  • Sores on the skin that don‘t heal
  • Discoloration or change of texture of the skin
  • Hair loss
  • Weak pulse or coldness to the touch
  • Erectile dysfunction in men

If peripheral artery disease progresses, pain may even occur while a person is resting, known as ischemic rest pain. It may be intense enough to disrupt sleep. Hanging one‘s legs over the edge of the bed or walking around the room may temporarily relieve the pain.

Diagnosis of PAD

Peripheral artery disease may be effectively diagnosed using the following:

  • Physical examination
  • Ankle-brachial index (ABI)
  • Doppler ultrasound
  • Angiography
  • Blood tests

Treatment of PAD

Treatment for peripheral artery disease is a two-pronged effort, designed not only to relieve symptoms, but to stop the progression of vascular disease. It is important to get atherosclerosis under control since this disease puts the patient at risk for heart attack or stroke. Treatments for PAD may include any and all of the following:

Lifestyle Changes

Before any additional medical treatment is undertaken, patients are advised to make changes in their habits which may be lifesaving. The most important of these is for patients who smoke to stop smoking. Other beneficial changes include losing weight, eating a healthier diet, making sure to get regular exercise and alleviating stress wherever possible. Particular exercise programs to assist in treating PAD are sometimes recommended.

Medications

Several types of medications may be helpful in treating PAD. These may include:

  • Cholesterol-lowering drugs known as statins
  • Medications to lower blood pressure
  • Medications to control glucose levels in patients with diabetes
  • Anticoagulants to increase blood flow
  • Medications to relieve symptoms such as claudication
  • Drugs injected into the artery to dissolve clots, or thrombolytics

Surgical Interventions

In some cases, surgical interventions may be necessary to treat PAD, including angioplasty to reopen the blocked artery and increase blood flow or bypass surgery to circumvent the blocked artery. The latter may be accomplished using either synthetic materials or a blood vessel from another part of the body.

Risks of Surgery for PAD

While surgeries for PAD are generally considered safe, there are always risks involved in any surgical procedure. In additions to the risks inherent in any surgical procedure which may include allergic reactions to anesthesia or medications, breathing problems and the possibility of infection, angioplasty and bypass for PAD may include the following complications, all of which are greater in older patients:

  • Heart attack
  • Incapacity of blood vessels
  • Impermanence of the bypass
  • Leg problems

There is often swelling in the leg that has been operated on. In some cases, the swelling may be more severe. Such swelling may subside with time, but mild permanent swelling is a common result of bypass surgery. Thrombophlebitis in the affected limb is also possible.

Recovery from Surgery for PAD

After a surgical procedure for PAD, the wound in the groin where the catheter was inserted must be tended. Light walking is encouraged, but strenuous exercise must be avoided for a period recommended by the doctor. It is important for patients recovering from angioplasty for PAD to maintain a healthy lifestyle and to take prescribed medications. In patients who do not make the necessary changes, restenosis, or recurring blockage of arteries, is common.

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