Arterial Limb Diseases Flashcards
What is the main symptom of chronic limb iscahemia?
Intermittent claudication
What is intermittent claudication?
Cramp-like muscle pain in legs during exercise
What is the main differences of critical limb ischaemia compared to chronic? (2)
Pain on rest
Ulceration and gangrene
How do you measure the ankle brachial pressure index?
Ankle pressure/brachial pressure
What 3 investigations used in the diagnosis of peripheral arterial disease?
Duplex ultrasound
MR angiogram
Angiography
What disease can peripheral arterial disease lead to?
Coronary heart disease
What are 4 risk factors for hypertension?
Smoking
Exercise
Diabetes
Hypertension
What 3 drugs are used to reduce the risk factors of claudicants?
ACE inhibitors
Statins
Aspirin
What 4 processes to statins inhibit?
Platelet activation
Plaque rupture
Endothelial activation
Inflammatory activation
What non invasive therapy can be used to treat intermittent claudication?
Exercise therapy
What procedure is performed for intermittent claudication if therapy is unsuccessful?
Angioplasty
At what absolute ankle pressure is it critical limb ischaemia?
Above 50mmHg
What are the main 2 causes of acute limb ischaemia and how do you differentiate?
Embolus (claudication)
Thrombosis (atrial fibrillation)
What investigations should be performed if acute limb ischaemia is suspected? (3)
ECG
CXR
FBC
If the patient has acute limb ischaemia caused by an embolus, what action should be taken?
Surgery as soon as possible
