Peripheral Vascular Disease Flashcards
When does PVD arise?
Significant narrowing of arteries distal to arch of aorta
Types of PVD
(3)
- Peripheral Vascular Disease
- Chronic Arterial Insufficiency
- Chronic Vascular Disease
(3) mechanisms contributing to the development of PVD
- atherosclerosis
- vasospasm (e.g. Raynaud’s)
- inflammation/vasculitis
Risk factors for PVD
- smoking
- DM
- Hypertension
- Hyperlipidaemia
- Fx
- Sedentary lifestyle
The difference between Atherosclerosis and Acute Limb Ischemia
- Atherosclerosis: Toxins accumulate in tunica intima -> this narrows the lumen of the tube (so we cannot ‚just pull it out’)
- Acute limb ischaemia: there is a physical blockage (embolism) blocking the outflow
Clinical presentation re progression of PVD
- Asymptomatic
- Intermittent claudication
- Critical limb ischaemia (end stage of PVD)
*if we leave claudication stage alone -> it will perhaps stay like that till the end of life
*if we leave critical limb ischaemia alone -> amputation always needed
What’ s pathophysiology of claudication?
In claudication, as there is increased demand for oxygen and glucose to exercising muscle -> blockage would not allow enough blood to pass through -> anaerobic respiration -> lactic acid - > pain
*Cramps at certain distance
Does intermittent claudication result in amputation?
- Intermittent claudication does not generally threaten the limb (amputation not usually required)
- will impact on the life
- it is a red alarm for vascular disease -> MI, strokes etc common
(20-30% with intermittent claudication will be dead in 5 years - as other arteries e.g. in the brain are also affected)
What artery is most commonly involved in intermittent claudication?
Distal femoral a. -> claudication in the calf muscle area
(located just above the knee)
What questions to include in the history from a patient with suspected PVD?
- duration
- distance before the pain occurs
- time taken for pain to go away at rest
- trophic changes: colour changes, nail malformations, hair loss
- infections/healing
- medication
- occupation
- smoking
- FHx
- other risk factors (e.g. HTN, hyperlipidaemia, sedementary lifestyle)
Values and interpretation of ABPI - symptoms that occur with them
- 1 or more -> symptoms free
- 0.95 - 0.5 -> intermittent claudication
- 0.5 - 0.3 -> rest pain (critical ischaemia)
- <0.2 -> gangrane and ulceration (critical ischaemia)
Non-operative management of PVD
- Lifestyle: quit smoking, exercise (1 hr a day for 6 months), weight loss
- Statins - even if cholesterol is low; for secondary prevention
- Antiplatelet agents: Aspirin or Clopidogrel
- BP control: target <140/90
- Glycaemic control
Is surgery usually indicated in case of claudication?
Vascular surgery is very risky, perhaps not provided for people with claudication -> usually for people at risk of amputation due to risks vs benefits -> therefore more focus on non-operative
How do we approach ‘exercise’ advice in Mx of PVD?
- Exercise is not just an advice to exercise
- it is a formal and supervised programme under direction of specialist nurses -> it trains the muscle to get used to slightly anaerobic situations and that will make them to work more without pain
What about smoking and PVD?
Stop smoking -> as smoking will stop co-lateral circulation from forming -> and we want colateral
circulation!
(It has been proved that stop smoking and exercise would double walking distance in 6 months)