Peripheral Arterial Disease is a disease of the blood vessels outside or other than the vessels of the heart and brain is commonly referred to as Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD). Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) is a progressive narrowing of the blood vessels most often caused by a process called atherosclerosis.
Atherosclerosis is a condition in which a plaque or a fatty substance collects along the inner lining of the arterial wall. This substance hardens and thickens which; overtime may block the normal blood flow in the artery. These blockages impair the blood circulation to the arms, legs, stomach, head and kidneys causing damage to the tissue.
In the early stages of this process people may experience cramping or fatigue in the legs or buttocks with activity such as walking that resolves with rest. This sensation is referred to as "intermittent claudication". Peripheral arterial disease is also indicative of atherosclerosis in other parts of the body such as the head and heart, increasing the risk for stroke and cardiovascular death. Early detection is essential for improvement in your quality of life and prevention of a major disability.
Risk Factors for PAD
- Smoking
- Hypertension
- Hypercholesterolemia
- Family History
- Increasing Age -- Men over 60 years of age
- Women after menopause have the same risk factors as men over 60
Diagnosis and Treatment of PAD
Diagnosis of peripheral arterial disease is made by taking a complete medical history, physical exam and any one or more of the following studies: duplex ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) angiography, and magnetic resonance (MR) angiography. Non Surgical Management of PAD Many people with PAD can be managed with non invasive therapies such as lifestyle changes, medication, or both.
Therapies include a modification of risk factors:
- Smoking Cessation
- Diabetes control
- Blood Pressure Management
- Physical Activity
- Diet low in saturated fats
- Cholesterol Medication
Treatment that may also be required includes:
- Antiplatelet therapy such as aspirin or clopidigrel
- Cholesterol lowering agents referred to as statins: simvastatin, atorvastatin, or pravastatin
- Medications that may assist with walking distance, cilostazol or pentoxifylline.
- ACE Inhibitors
Options for Intervention
For individuals in which there is no improvement with lifestyle change and drug therapy, or there is progression of the disease your physician may recommend an endovascular or surgical intervention. Endovascular therapies are minimally invasive non-surgical techniques that can be used to open or widen peripheral vessels that have become narrowed or blocked.
The vascular specialists may use angioplasty (ballooning) and or stenting to keep the vessel open. Surgical intervention may be recommended based on the size and location of the blockage. This technique bypasses the area of the blockage by using a vein or prosthetic vein to route blood from the area above the lesion in the vessel to an area below, restoring blood flow to the area.