Peripheral Artery Disease

Question 1

What is Peripheral Artery Disease?

Answer 1

build up of plaque in the peripheral arteries. this plaque consists of fat, cholesterol, fibrous tissue, calcium

Question 2

What is atherosclerosis?

Answer 2

buildup of plaque in the body that hardens and reduces oxygen-rich blood flow through the arteries

Question 3

What are the risk factors of developing PAD?

Answer 3

atherosclerosis which can be attributed to smoking, poor diet, high blood pressure, increased blood sugar levels, increase age

Question 4

PAD increases your risk for developing what?

Answer 4

CHD, MI, CVA, TIA

Question 5

What is Myocardial Infarction?

Answer 5

when blood flow decreases or stops flowing into the part of the patient’s heart causing damaging to the heart muscle CVA

Question 6

What is a Cerebral Vascular Accident (CVA)?

Answer 6

occurs when blood flow to part of the brain is stopped by either a blockage or a rupture of a blood vessel

Question 7

What is Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)?

Answer 7

temporary blockage or reduced flow that tends to break up fairly quickly. stroke which has stopped before any permanent damage was done. “mini stroke”. they do have an increased risk for having a stroke

Question 8

Clinical presentation of PAD

Answer 8

pain, numbness, cramping, color change in legs, shiny skin, weakened distal pulse

Question 9

intermittent claudication of PAD?

Answer 9

pain or cramping in legs that occurs during physical activity due to the increased blood flow required by your muscles. occurs 10% In PAD patients.

Question 10

How do you diagnose PAD?

Answer 10

frequently discovered after symptoms appear during activity, physical examination for weakened or absent pulses, weak wound healing, decreased blood pressure in affected limb, doppler ultrasound, ABI, Angiography, Blood tests

Question 11

What is the difference between Angioplasty and Atherectomy?

Answer 11

Angioplasty uses a catheter or tube with a balloon that is inserted into the blocked artery. balloon is inflated and pushes plaque out against the artery wall. widens the artery and restores blood flow. A stent may be placed to keep artery open.
Atherectomy uses a catheter to insert a small cutting device into the blocked artery to shave or cut off parts of the plaque. those pieces are either removed or flushed away