Vasc- peripheral arterial testing PT 1 Flashcards
What is PAD- peripheral arterial disease?
- a common circulatory problem in which narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to limbs
when someone develops PAD what occurs?
- the extremitites (usually legs) don’t receive enough blood flow to keep up with demand
muscle cells require oxygen constantly when exercising T or F?
T
what is the most common symptom of PAD?
- leg pain when walking (intermittent claudication)
what is intermittent claudication?
leg pain when walking
PAD is likely to be a sign of a more widespread accumulation of what?
- fatty deposits in other arteries as well as the heart and carotids
PAD may be reducing blood flow to what parts of the body?
- heart
- brain
- limbs
what is a less common cause of PAD (4)?
- blood vessel inflammation
- injury to limbs
- unusual anatomy of ligaments or muscles
- radiation exposure
If peripheral artery disease is caused by a buildup of plaques in the blood vessels (atherosclerosis), there is also at risk of developing what?
critical limb ischemia
what does critical limb ischemia begin as (3)?
- open sores that don’t heal
- an injury
- infection of feet or legs
how does critical limb ischemia progress?
- can cause tissue death (gangrene)
- sometimes requires amputation of affected limb
complications of PAD (5)?
- critical limb ischemia
- gangrene
- amputation
- stroke
- heart attack
intermittent claudication symptoms?
- muscle pain or cramping in legs or arms triggered by activity but disappears after a few minutes of rest
what does the location of claudication depend on?
- location of clogged or narrowed artery
Calf pain is the most common location indicating the obstruction is where?
- above this level in the popliteal or femoral artery
peripheral artery disease symptoms?
- claudication/ altered gait
- leg numbness or weakness
- coldness in the lower leg or foot
- sores on toes, feet, or legs that won’t heal
- change in color of the legs
- hair loss on feet and legs
- slower growth of toenails
- shiny skin on legs
- no pulse or weak pulse in legs or feet
- erectile dysfunction
where are arterial ulcers typically seen?
- tend to be on borders/ sides of the foot
where are neurpathic ulcers typically seen?
on the plantar surface of the foot
where are venous ulcers typically seen?
medial aspect of the leg superior to the medial malleolus
what is physicians role in palpation (physical evaluation touching with hands)? (2)
- Tempurature- cool suggesr poor circulations, sides should be compared
- pitting edema- should be tested for independent location- dorsum of foot, if present then on shins
physicians role in auscultation (listening)?
- search for femoral artery bruits: listen with stethoscope in groin area for wooshing sounds
what artieral pulses should a physician check for in arterial testing? (4)
- dorsalic pedis artery
- posterior tibial artery
- popliteal artery
- femoral artery