Peripheral Arterial Disease

Question 1

What is PAD?

Answer 1

Atherosclerotic disease of the lower extremities

Question 2

What is the main presentation?

Answer 2

intermittent claudication

Question 3

What are the 6 Ps of an acute arterial embolism from PAD?

Answer 3

pain, paresthesias, paralysis, pallor, pulselessness, poikilothermia

Question 4

What dos rest pain indicate?

Answer 4

advanced disease

Question 5

Where will claudication be if it’s the aortic bifurcation/common illiac artery?

Answer 5

Buttock, hip, groin

Question 6

Where will claudication be if it’s the femoral artery (or it’s branches)?

Answer 6

thigh, upper calf

Question 7

Where will claudication be if it’s the popliteal artery?

Answer 7

lower calf, ankle, foot

Question 8

Where will claudication be if it’s the tibial and perineal arteries?

Answer 8

foot

Question 9

What will the skin be like on PE?

Answer 9

cool to touch, thin, shiny

Question 10

What will pulses be?

Answer 10

decreased or absent

Question 11

How is PAD diagnosed?

Answer 11

ABI

Question 12

What is the ABI in PAD?

Answer 12

less than 0.9

Question 13

If the ABI is > 1.2 what does that indicate?

Answer 13

calcified vessels

Question 14

What is the gold standard diagnostic test?

Answer 14

arteriography, clinically only done if revascularization is planned

Question 15

What are the 2 other tests to diagnose?

Answer 15

Duplex U/S and hand held doppler

Question 16

How is PAD managed via platelet inhibitors?

Answer 16

Cilostazol, ASA, or plavix

Question 17

How is PAD managed via revascularization

Answer 17

PTA, bypass grafts, endarterectomy

Question 18

What needs to be done if there’s severe gangrene?

Answer 18

amputation

Question 19

What is given for acute arterial occlusion due to embolism?

Answer 19

heparin

Question 20

What is given for an acute arterial occlusion due to thrombus?

Answer 20

thrombolytics