Small Group: Peripheral Vascular Disease Cases

Question 1

Why do people with peripheral vascular disease sometimes sleep with the affected leg off the bed?

Answer 1

Because gravity helps them pull blood across the sclerotic plaque, relieving ischemia

Question 2

Limbs affected by atherosclerotic plaques often _______ in blood pressure during exercise, because _________.

Answer 2

decrease; they vasodilate in response to exercise, but additional blood does not make it past the occlusion

Question 3

What is thrombophlebitis?

Answer 3

Inflammation of veins after a deep vein thrombosis; can result in damaged valves

Question 4

________ lowers triglycerides but has not been shown to decrease incidence of cardiovascular events.

Answer 4

Gemfibrazole