Symptoms- pain on walking , relieved on resting (intermittent claudication), rest pain, cold and pale limbs and sores on limbs that do not heal.
A variety of disease can clog the arteries. The common ones are
- Atherosclerosis (cholesterol deposition)
- Buergers disease (related to smoking)
- Bood vessel inflamation(arteritis)
- Injury.
A 47 year old gentleman presented with progressive discomfort on walking for last 3 years. He was a heavy smoker and off late the pain was persisting even at rest. On examination he had no peripheral pulses. CT angiogram (figure1) showed severe PAD with blocked superficial femoral artery(artery to lower limb) on both sides. The patient was operated and a bypass was constructed using special synthetic tubes(grafts). These bypasses connect the arteries above and below the block thus restoring blood supply(figure2).
The patient was discharge in two days and is able to walk nearly 3km everyday.
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Comment-
PAD is common associated with heart disease and diabetes. Smoking is another risk factor. PVD if neglected can lead to gangrene and amputation. Medical, Surgical and endovasular (stent) are treatment options depending on specific case.
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