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Core Conditions - Vascular > Peripheral Vascular Disease > Flashcards

Peripheral Vascular Disease Flashcards

1
Q

What is peripheral vascular disease?

A

PVD is a chronic condition that is a result of atherosclerotic disease in the arteries of the limbs

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2
Q

How does extent of atherosclerosis affect symptoms in PVD?

A

the level of arterial occlusion present is proportional to the severity of the symptoms

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3
Q

What are the risk factors for peripheral vascular disease?

A

the risk factors are the same as for coronary artery disease (CAD)

  • hypertension
  • dyslipidaemia
    • high LDL and low HDL
  • diabetes
  • obesity
  • advancing age
  • male gender
  • family history of arterial disease
    • ​significant if a first degree relative had MI before age 55
  • smoking
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4
Q

How does peripheral vascular disease typically present?

A

pain in the lower limbs that is brought by exertion and relieved with rest

typically the patient will be able to walk a specific distance before the pain comes on

it can present as an emergency as acute limb ischaemia

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5
Q
A
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6
Q

What % of the population are affected by PVD?

A

it affects 10-15% of the population

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7
Q

What condition is nearly always present in patients with PVD?

A

75% of patients with PVD also have symptomatic coronary artery disease (CAD)

in the other 25% of patients it is thought that the PVD masks their CAD as they do not exert themselves sufficiently to bring on the CAD symptoms

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8
Q

What is the name of the type of pain present in PVD?

A

intermittent claudication

this decribes pain/cramping in the lower leg due to inadequate blood flow to the muscles

this often makes the patient limp

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9
Q

What is the classical presentation of PVD?

A

pain = intermittent claudication

  • pain in the calves on walking that is relieved with rest
  • pain can occur anywhere along the leg and down into the foot
  • pain may occur when legs are raised (in bed) and is alleviated when legs are lowered (sitting)
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10
Q

Why do some patients with PVD not present with the classical picture of intermittent claudication?

A

often because they are not doing enough physical activity to induce the symptoms

particularly if they have another comorbidity that limits their activity

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11
Q

What is the main differential for peripheral vascular disease?

A

spinal claudication

caused by impingement of the cauda equina by a spinal stenosis

this classically causes pain in the back of the legs on exertion

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12
Q

What clinical test is performed that is specific to PVD?

A

Buerger’s test

this is an assessment of arterial sufficiency

the vascular angle (Buerger’s angle) is the angle the leg has to be raised before it becomes cold/pale, whilst lying down

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13
Q

How is Buerger’s angle different in a healthy person and someone with PVD?

A

healthy person:

  • the toes and sole of the foot remain pink even when the limb is raised to 90 degrees

PVD:

  • elevation to 15-30 degrees for 30-60 seconds may cause pallor
  • Buerger’s angle of <20 degrees** indicates **severe PVD/ischaemia
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14
Q

How is capillary refill time changed in a patient with PVD?

A
  • press the distal phalanx of patient’s toe with a finger for 5 seconds
  • blanching discolouration should return to normal in less than 2 seconds
  • capillary refill time is PROLONGED (>2 seconds) in someone with PVD due to poor peripheral perfusion
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15
Q

What skin changes may be present on the lower limb of someone with PVD?

A

there may be evidence of poor skin health due to poor perfusion, such as:

  • ulcers
  • dry, scaly skin
  • cool peripheries
  • prolonged capillary refill time

oedema should not be present

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16
Q

What pulses are assessed in PVD?

What does the presence or absence of a pulse suggest?

A

the pulses in the foot - posterior tibial & dorsalis pedis

  • palpable pulse indicates low likelihood of PVD
  • absent pulse indicates high likelihood of PVD

a doppler probe can be used to assess if there is significant blood flow present in the artery if pulses cannot be palpated

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17
Q

What is the main symptom of mild PVD?

A

claudication

this is limb pain (aching, cramping & tired feeling of the legs) upon exertion

most commonly occurs in the calves, but may also present in the feet, thighs, buttocks and arms

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18
Q

What is meant by the claudication distance?

How does this change as PVD progresses?

A

the distance that a patient can walk before they experience symptoms (pain)

as PVD progresses, the distance a patient can walk (claudication distance) is reduced

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19
Q

How is claudication / pain different for a patient who has severe PVD opposed to mild PVD?

A
  • there is claudication / buttock pain at rest
  • burning pain in the legs at night due to elevation (which reduces limb perfusion)
  • burning pain relieved by hanging the legs over the side of the bed (v poor prognostic sign)
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20
Q

What other signs / symptoms should be looked out for in a patient suspected to have peripheral vascular disease?

A
  • “punched out” ischaemic ulcers
  • gangrene
  • reduced / absent peripheral pulses
  • skin atrophy (chronic disease)
  • hair loss (chronic disease)
  • cyanosis
  • excessive sweating due to overactivity of sympathetic nerves
  • erectile dysfunction
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21
Q

Where are “punched out” ischaemic ulcers usually seen?

When do they usually occur?

A
  • usually on the toes and heels
  • tend to occur after a localised traumatic event
  • often painful, but diabetic and alcoholic patients may not have pain
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22
Q

How can gangrene be identified?

A

black necrotic gangrenous tissue often surrounds the punched out ulcer lesions

infection of these areas can occur (wet gangrene)

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23
Q

What is the name of the disease that leads to erectile dysfunction in patients with peripheral vascular disease?

A

Leriche syndrome

this is a type of PVD known as aortoiliac occlusive disease

it involves blockage of the abdominal aorta as it transitions into the common iliac arteries

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24
Q

What is the triad of symptoms associated with Leriche syndrome?

A
  • claudication of the buttocks and thighs
  • absent or decreased femoral pulses
  • erectile dysfunction

the legs will also appear pale and cold

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25
Q

For what type of patient with PVD is amputation considered?

A

it may be necessary in patients with severe disease

it is usually only performed in patients with severe unremitting leg pain + gangrene

this is performed to prevent sepsis

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26
Q

How should amputation be performed to provide the best results for the patient?

A
  • amputation should be performed as distally as possible
  • ideally it should be below the knee, as this provides the greatest flexibility with prosthetic replacement limbs
  • BUT it must be high enough to allow healing of the stump
  • in many cases, above the knee amputation is likely to heal better
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27
Q

What medication is given prophylactically to patients who have an amputation and why?

A

gabapentin

this is used to treat phantom limb pain, which is very common

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28
Q

How is a diagnosis of peripheral vascular disease made?

After a diagnosis is made, where is the patient referred to?

A

diagnosis can be made on the basis of a suggestive history and examination, in conjunction with an ABPI <0.9

the patient is referred to the vascular team for further investigation, which typically includes a CT angiogram of the lower limb

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29
Q

What is ABPI?

Why is it used in the diagnosis of PVD?

A

ankle-brachial pressure index

it is a measure of the ratio of the blood pressure in the ankle vs. the arm

PVD affects the legs more than the arms, so it can be used as an indicator of reduced arterial blood flow in the legs

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30
Q

How is ABPI measured in the clinic?

What is a normal value and what value suggests limb ischaemia as a result of PVD?

A
  • measure the BP in both arms and take the highest value
  • measure the BP in both legs and take the highest value

(often, instead of a stethoscope, a Doppler ultrasound probe is used to measure the pressure over the posterior tibial artery - record the pressure when you hear the first “whoosh”)

  • using only systolic values, divide the ankle pressure by the brachial pressure

A NORMAL VALUE IS >1

A VALUE OF <0.9 IS PATHOLOGICAL FOR LIMB ISCHAEMIA

the lower the number, the greater the degree of PVD

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31
Q

At what ABPI values will there be pain at rest and high risk of gangrene?

A
  • pain at rest - ABPI is equal to or less than 0.6
  • high risk of gangrene - ABPI <0.3 or ankle systolic pressure < 55mmHg
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32
Q

Why might false readings for ABPI be obtained in someone with severe atherosclerosis?

A

in very severe atherosclerosis, the vessels are incompressible

because of this, falsely high readings may be obtained

(e.g. ABPI > 1.3)

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33
Q

What blood tests should be performed in the investigations for PVD?

Why this combination?

A
  • HbA1c
  • lipids
  • U&Es
  • ESR / CRP - to exclude arteritis
  • ECG - to check for cardiac involvement
  • platelets & clotting

these blood tests form part of the investigation for diabetes

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34
Q
A
35
Q
A
36
Q

What type of imaging should be performed when investigating PVD?

A

arterial imaging should be performed to assess the extent of the disease

e.g. CT angiography

37
Q

What is the main category of differentials for PVD?

A
  • the most likely differential diagnosis is a neurological cause
  • this is usually compression of the spinal cord due to spinal stenosis

this is sometimes referred to as neurogenic claudication

  • it causes a similar pattern of pain on activity in the buttocks and legs, alleviated by rest
38
Q

What is the difference in pain patterns in PVD and neurogenic claudication?

A

PVD:

  • pain starts in the calf and radiates UP the leg

Neurogenic claudication:

  • pain starts in the buttocks and radiates DOWN the leg
39
Q

As well as treating the PVD, what are many of the other treatments given aimed at?

A

a diagnosis of PVD is a confirmation that the patient has cardiovascular disease

as well as treating the PVD, many treatments are aimed at reducing other complications of CVD, such as stroke and MI

40
Q

What is the aim of PVD treatment?

How is this acheived?

A

improve the walking distance and lower limb circulation

  • there are no medications that improve the symptoms of intermittent claudication
  • walking therapies can be as effective as surgery at improving symptoms
41
Q

What medications should all patients with peripheral vascular disease be given?

A

STATIN:

  • e.g. atorvastatin 40mg nocte
  • given this regardless of cholesterol levels

HYPERTENSION MEDICATION:

  • this can be an ACE-inhibitor - e.g. ramipril 5mg daily
  • or a calcium channel blocker - e.g. amlodipine 5mg daily

ANTIPLATELET AGENT:

  • this improves claudication distance & reduces other symptoms
  • can be aspirin 100mg daily or clopidogrel 75mg daily
42
Q

What type of hypertension drug should be avoided in PVD?

A

beta-blockers

they should be avoided, but are typically safe unless PVD is very severe

43
Q

What lifestyle recommendations are given to patients with PVD?

A
  • stop smoking
  • lose weight and aim for a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9
  • increase exercise - e.g. 5x a week for 30-60 minutes
44
Q

Why is increasing exercise so important for patients with PVD?

A

it may increase the claudication distance and improve quality of life

it is thought to be beneficial by:

  • increasing collateral circulation
  • improving endothelial compliance
    • i.e. better vasodilation to overcome the lumen narrowing and improved blood flow
  • decreasing blood viscosity
45
Q

What recommendations are given to patients about walking and exercise?

How many tend to improve through walking therapy?

A
  • walk until it is limited by claudication
  • rest until symptoms improve
  • after resting, begin to start walking again
  • 1/3 of patients will improve, 1/3 stay the same and 1/3 will get worse
46
Q

What lifestyle advice is given to patients with PVD to help them manage their symptoms?

A
  • Raise their pillows in bed by 4 - 6 inches
    • ​this keeps the legs below the level of the heart to reduce leg pain at night
  • Avoid cold weather if possible
  • Foot care
    • ​encourage self-inspection daily for lesions, with prompt treatment
    • careful washing of the feet every day with thorough drying
47
Q

What measures are in place to control risk factors for PVD?

A
  • screening for and treating diabetes
  • patients with known CVD are automatically considered high risk for diabetes
48
Q

What types of patients have surgery for PVD?

What are the indications for specialist referral?

A

surgical treatments are reserved for patients with very severe symptoms or where tissue destruction is present

indications for specialist referral include:

  • lifestyle-limiting claudication
  • pain at rest
  • gangrene
49
Q

What is involved in percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) and what type of lesions is it useful for?

A
  • useful for short lesions (usually <5cm) in large arteries
  • a balloon is used to widen the artery (which is sometimes sufficient on its own)
  • in most cases, a stent is also placed in the artery
50
Q

What type of artery disease is percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) efficient at treating?

A
  • successful in 75-90% of patients with iliac artery disease
  • also successful in 50-70% of patients with thigh and calf disease
51
Q

How are patients selected for PTA?

What group of patients is it not good for?

A

patients are selected based on arterial imaging

PTA is NOT good for long lesions - which are more likely to occur in diabetic patients

52
Q

What is the recurrence rate following PTA?

What are potential complications that may occur after the procedure?

A

recurrence is about 30% after 3 years

PTA can result in thrombus formation and subsequent embolisation

53
Q

What type of surgery is performed in patients with PVD?

A

thromboendartectomy and bypass grafting

54
Q

What types of patients are usually good candidates for thromboendarterectomy and bypass grafting?

A

it is only suitable for some patients

these are those with an obvious blockage, where the distal vessel is still filled by collateral vessels

this indicates that the distal vessel is still in good shape

patients must also be able to tolerate surgery and it is sometimes used in those in whom PTA was not successful

55
Q

What is a bypass graft made of?

A

they are usually made from venous tissue

prosthetic structures can also be used

56
Q

What medications are given to patients after surgery depending on whether they have had a venous or a prosthetic graft?

A
  • ASPIRIN improves the longevity / patency of prosthetic grafts
  • WARFARIN may be required after graft surgery in venous grafts
57
Q

What treatment can be used to relieve pain in patients with PVD who are not suitable for surgery?

A

chemical or surgical sympathectomy

this is usually chemical lumbar sympathectomy that involves destruction of the lumbar sympathetic chain (usually L2 & L3 ganglia)

it has been seen to improve pain and wound healing

58
Q

In which types of patients is sympathectomy most commonly performed?

A

it is particularly useful in diabetic patients

59
Q

When might limb compression be used to help patients with PVD?

A

this is used to help patients with severe PVD who are not suitable for surgery

inflatable cuffs are placed over the limb and inflated rhythmically for a period of 1-2 hours, several days per week

this is thought to improve both venous & arterial flow, thus reducing symptoms, but evidence is poor

60
Q

What is the definition of acute limb ischaemia?

A

the sudden decrease in limb perfusion that threatens the viability of the limb

complete or even partial occlusion of the arterial supply to a limb can lead to rapid ischaemia and poor functional outcomes within hours

61
Q

What are the 3 main categories of causes of acute limb ischaemia?

A
  1. embolisation
  2. thrombosis in situ
  3. trauma (less common), including compartment syndrome
62
Q

How can embolisation lead to acute limb ischaemia?

What conditions are associated with this?

A

a thrombus from a proximal source travels distally to occlude the artery (most common)

the original thrombus source may be as a result of:

  • atrial fibrillation
  • post-MI mural thrombus
  • abdominal aortic aneurysm
  • prosthetic heart valves
63
Q

What is meant by thrombus in situ?

A

an atheromatous plaque in the artery ruptures and a thrombus forms on the plaque’s cap

64
Q

What way is used to remember the classical signs and symptoms of acute limb ischaemia?

A

!!! REMEMBER THE 6 Ps !!!

  • Pain
  • Pallor
  • Pulselessness
  • Paraesthesia
  • Perishingly cold
  • Paralysis
65
Q

How does acute limb ischaemia tend to present?

A

It presents with a sudden onset of the 6 Ps

(most commonly pain, pulselessness & pallor)

66
Q

What is a sensitive sign of an embolic occlusion that should be looked out for?

A

a normal, pulsatile contralateral limb

67
Q

What causes of potential embolisation should be explored in the patient’s history?

A
  • chronic limb ischaemia
  • atrial fibrillation
  • recent MI (resulting in a mural thrombus)
  • symptomatic AAA (ask about back / abdominal pain)
  • peripheral aneurysms
68
Q

What is the risk of a patient with acute limb ischaemia delaying before presenting to hospital?

A

the later they present to hospital, the more likely that irreversible damage to the neuromuscular structures will have occurred

this will result in a paralysed limb

it is more likely to happen if they present >6 hours after onset of symptoms

69
Q

What are the differential diagnoses for acute limb ischaemia?

A
  • critical chronic limb ischaemia
  • acute DVT
  • spinal cord or peripheral nerve compression
70
Q

What specific blood tests are performed when acute limb ischaemia is suspected?

What other test is needed?

A

routine bloods, including:

  • serum lactate to assess level of ischaemia
  • a thrombophilia screen if patient is <50 without known risk factors
  • group and save

these should all be taken, along with an ECG

71
Q

What tests / scans are involved in the initial investigation of acute limb ischaemia?

A

suspected cases should initially be investigated with bedside Doppler ultrasound scan of both limbs

this is followed by considering a CT angiography

72
Q

What test will be performed if the limb is considered to be salvageable?

A

CT arteriogram

this can provide more information regarding the anatomical location of the occlusion and can help decide the operative approach

73
Q

What are the stages involved in initial management of acute limb ischaemia?

A

this is a SURGICAL EMERGENCY

complete arterial occlusion willl lead to irreversible tissue damage within 6 hours

  • start patient on high-flow oxygen and ensure adequate IV access
  • a therapeutic dose heparin (or preferably a bolus dose then heparin infusion) should be initiated as soon as is practical
74
Q

What classification system is used for acute limb ischaemia?

A

Rutherford classification

  • Type I - viable
  • Type IIa - marginally threatened
  • Type IIb - immediately threatened
  • Type III - irreversible
75
Q

For which types of acute limb ischaemia is conservative management considered for?

A

conservative management can only be considered for those with Rutherford I** and **IIa

76
Q

What is the conservative management for Rutherford Type I and IIa acute limb ischaemia?

How is it monitored?

A

prolonged course of heparin

patients on heparin require regular assessment to determine its effectiveness through monitoring APPT and clinical review

surgical interventions may be warranted if no significant improvement is seen

77
Q

For what type of acute limb ischaemia is surgical intervention required for?

A

surgical intervention is mandatory for cases presenting in Rutherford IIb

78
Q

What are the surgical options for Rutherford IIb limb ischaemia that is embolic and due to thrombotic disease?

A

If cause is embolic, the options are:

  • embolectomy via a Fogarty catheter
  • local intra-arterial thrombolysis
  • bypass surgery (if there is insufficient flow back)

If the cause is due to thrombotic disease, the options are:

  • local intra-arterial thrombolysis
  • angioplasty
  • bypass surgery
79
Q

What is the treatment for Rutherford type III (irreversible limb ischaemia)?

How can this be identified by appearance?

A

it appears with a mottled non-blanching appearance with hard woody muscles

it requires urgent amputation or taking a palliative approach

80
Q

Why do most post-operative cases of limb ischaemia require a high level of care?

A

due to the ischaemia reperfusion syndrome

this describes tissue damage caused when blood supply returns to tissue after a period of ischaemia

81
Q

What is the main aim of long term management following acute limb ischaemia?

A

reduction of the cardiovascular mortality risk

this is acheived through promoting regular exercise, smoking cessation and weight loss

82
Q

What medication is given to patients as part of the long term management following acute limb ischaemia?

A

ANTI-PLATELET AGENT:

  • such as low-dose aspirin or clopidogrel
  • they may be started on anticoagulation with warfarin or a DOAC
  • any underlying predisposing conditions to the acute limb ischaemia should be treated (e.g. AF)
83
Q

What is the mortality rate associated with acute limb ischaemia?

A
  • mortality rate of around 20%
  • 30-day mortality rate following surgical treatment for acute limb ischaemia is 15%
84
Q

What is the main complication of acute limb ischaemia?

A

reperfusion injury

sudden increase in capillary permeability can result in:

  • compartment syndrome
  • release of substances from the damaged muscle cells, such as:
    • K+ ions causing hyperkalaemia
    • H+ causing acidosis
    • Myoglobin, resulting in significant AKI

Core Conditions - Vascular (7 decks)

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