Peripheral vascular disease

Question 1

Definition

Answer 1

Common condition in which narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to the arms or legs.

The legs or arms usually the legs- don’t receive enough blood flow to keep up with demand

May cause claudication and other symptoms

Question 2

Aetiology

Answer 2

Commonly caused by atherosclerosis and usually affects the aorta-iliac or infra-inguinal arteries

Question 3

Epidemiology

Answer 3

Present in 7% of middle-aged men and 4.5% of middle-aged women, but these patients are more likely to die of mi or stroke than lose their leg

Question 4

Clinical presentation

Answer 4

Many people with peripheral artery disease have mild or no symptoms. Some people have leg pain when walking (claudication)

Question 5

Limb Ischaemia

Answer 5

Can be classified as chronic or acute

severe blockage in the arteries of the lower extremities, which markedly reduces blood-flow

Chronic lower limb ischaemia
Common risk factors:
– smoking
– diabetes
– hypercholesterolaemia
– hypertension

premature atherosclerosis in patients aged <45 years may be associated with thrombophilia and hyperhomocysteinaemia.

Clinical features:
– peripheral arterial disease can be described using the Fontaine classification:
—- stage 1- asymptomatic
—- stage 2- intermittent
—- stage 3- rest pain/nocturnal pain
—- stage 4- necrosis/gangrene