PVD Flashcards
What is PVD?
Compromised blood flow to the extremities
What causes PVD?
1) Atherosclerosis** (chronic problem)
2) Arterial embolism (acute problem)
- Emboli may originate from heart, abdominal aorta, or femoral artery
3) Vasculitis
- Inflammation of the walls of the BVs
Common arteries for athersclerotic plaques
Distal abdominal aorta
Iliac arteries
Subclavian arteries
Coronaries
If your patient has PVD, what should you also assume?
They have CAD.
Over __% of people over 75 have atherosclerosis
Over 70%
Thus for everyone over 75, assume they have PVD, and thusly also assume that they have CAD
Risk factors for atherosclerosis
DM Essential HTN Hyperlipidemia Smoking Aging Men Obesity and physical inactivity Sedentary lifestyle Family hx of premature atherosclerosis Hyperhomocysteinemia (high levels of homocystein predispose people to endothelial damage)
What is intermittent claudication?
Angina of the legs!
Pain and limping when walking or exercising. Pain is experienced in the calf, thigh, or buttock, and is relieved with rest.
S/S of PVD
Intermittent claudication**
Feet are cold to the touch
Pain in legs when lying flat, and relieved by a sitting position
Weak or absent pulses in legs/feet
Pallor when legs are raised
Dependent rubor (redness in legs when in a dependent position)
- Shiny skin
- Loss of hair
- Thickened toenails (may have fungal infection)
What is the most severe symptom of PVD?
Critical limb ischemia (CLI)
What is critical limb ischemia (CLI)?
Extreme form of intermittent claudication
- Pain in legs at rest
- Blood flow is so diminished that even basic metabolic demands are not met
- Associated with non-healing ulcers and gangrene
Diagnostic tests for PVD/atherosclerosis
Doppler U/S Ankle/Brachial Index Duplex Ultrasonographic Scan Transcutaneous Oximetry - Test to measure oxygen content in the tissues - Normal is 60mmHg - < 40mmHg = skin ischemia MRI Angio with contrast
What is the ankle/brachial index?
Ratio of the BP in the lower legs to BP in the arms
Normal is .95
< .9 = claudication
< .4 = Pain at rest (CLI)
< .25 = ischemic ulceration or impending gangrene
Goals of treating PVD
Improve functional status
Prevent stroke
Prevent limb loss
Reduce potential atherosclerotic progression and cardiovascular morbidity
How to treat PVD
Treat risk factors the patient has (lifestyle changes) Lipid-loweing therapy (statins) Vitamin C and E supplements Anti-plt therapy Revascularization procedures Amputation
Revascularization procedures we may see our patients for
- Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) with possible stent placement
- Bypass surgeries
- Intra-arterial thrombolytic therapies
- Balloon-catheter embolectomy
- Endarterectomy