15. Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD) Flashcards
Outline the arteries in the legs.
- Anatomy of arteries:
- Aorta
- Common Iliac
- External Iliac
- Internal Iliac
- Common femoral
- Superficial femoral
- Popliteal
- Anterior tibial
- Posterior tibial
- Peroneal
Define ischaemia.
Ischaemia refers to an inadequate oxygen supply to the tissues due to reduced blood supply and impaired vascular perfusion, leading to reversible tissue damage.
Define infarction.
Irreversible tissue death due to ischaemia.
Define necrosis.
Refers to the death of the tissue.
What is peripheral vascular disease (PVD)?
Essentially, it’s the partial blockage of leg or peripheral vessels by an atherosclerotic plaque and or resulting thrombus, resulting in insufficient perfusion of the lower limb, resulting in LOWER LIMB ISCHAEMIA.
What causes PVD?
Atherosclerosis causing stenosis of arteries
What is PVD? Explain the pathophysiology.
Narrowing of the arteries in the peripheral, non-coronary arterial circulation.
- Vessels of the lower extremities are most commonly affected
So, embolus forms -> narrowed arteries -> decreases blood flow -> less gas + nutrient exchange -> acute limb ischaemia -> tissue loss -> forms ulcers -> poor healing of ulcers -> ischaemic cells release adenosine -> adenosine signals nerves -> sensation of pain -> claudication.
Claudication = pain caused by poor circulation
- Happens when O2 demand > O2 supply
Give 5 risk factors for peripheral vascular disease.
- Hypertension.
- Hyperlipidaemia / Hypercholesterolaemia
- Diabetes.
- Smoking.
- Obesity.
- Physical inactivity.
Give 3 signs of PVD.
- Absent femoral, popliteal or foot pulses.
- Cold, white leg(s)
- Atrophic skin
- Punched out ulcers
- Postural colour change
- Capillary refill prolonged
What is a consequence of peripheral arterial occlusion?
Gangrene.
Name the classification system for peripheral vascular disease (PVD).
Fontaine classification.
What are the 4 stages in the Fontaine classification of PVD?
- Asymptomatic
- Intermittent claudication
- Ichaemic rest pain
- Ulceration/gangrene (critical ischaemia)
Give 2 diseases that result from stress induced ischaemia.
- Exercise induced angina.
- Intermittent claudication.
What is intermittent claudication?
A symptom describing muscle pain that is caused by moderate ischaemia.
Intermittent claudication occurs when exercising (stress induced) and is relieved with rest.
Name 2 diseases that are due to moderate ischaemia.
- Angina.
- Intermittent claudication.
Describe the clinical features of intermittent claudication.
Muscle cramping pain in calf/thigh/buttock after walking a given distance (shorter=more severe) - relieved by rest