Peripheral Arterial Disease

Question 1

Define Peripheral Arterial Disease:

Answer 1

Due to atherosclerosis, a build up of fatty deposits in the arteries, which restricts blood supply to leg muscles. Chronic Limb Ischaemia is an advanced stage of PAD. CLI is defined as a triad of rest pain, arterial insufficiency ulcers, and gangrene.

Question 2

Peripheral Arterial Disease: Symptoms:
G
U
FP
IC

Answer 2

Peripheral Arterial Disease: Symptoms
Gangrene
Ulceration
Foot Pain - e.g. burning pain at night, relieved by hanging legs over side of bed
Intermittent Claudication - cramp-like main, buttock, thigh, calf, after walking, relieved at rest.

Question 3

Peripheral Arterial Disease: Signs:
CWL
A F/P/F P
SGBTN
HL L&F
P
ED (M)

Answer 3

Peripheral Arterial Disease: Signs:
Cold White Leg
Absence Femoral/Popliteal/Foot Pulse
Slow-Growing,  Brittle Toe Nails
Hair Loss Legs & Feet
Pallor (Pale)
Erectile Dysfunction (Men)

Question 4

Peripheral Arterial Disease: Investigations: 
E
B
L
MR/CT A
CDUS
TS
S
ABPI

Answer 4

Peripheral Arterial Disease: Investigations: 
ECG
Bloods - FBC, U & E
Lipids
MR/CT Angiogram
Colour Duplex US
Thrombophilia Screen
Screen
Ankle-Brachial Pressure Index

Question 5

Peripheral Arterial Disease: Treatment: 
Lifestyle Measures: 
AP
Amp
SEP
SR
S
VAD
PTA

Answer 5

Peripheral Arterial Disease: Treatment: 
Lifestyle Measures: stop smoking, treat hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, & diabetes. 
Antiplatelets - Clopidogrel 
Amputation
Supervised Exercise Programme - manage claudication
Surgical Reconstruction 
Statins
Vasoactive Drugs 
Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty