Contents

SynopsisCodesLook ForDiagnostic PearlsDifferential Diagnosis & PitfallsBest TestsManagement PearlsTherapyDrug Reaction DataReferences

Information for Patients

View all Images (12)

Peripheral arterial disease
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Peripheral arterial disease

Contributors: Joon B. Kim MD, Michael W. Winter MD, David Peritz MD, Ryan Hoefen MD, PhD
Other Resources UpToDate PubMed

Synopsis

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a clinical disorder leading to stenosis or occlusion of the noncardiac vessels. Atherosclerosis is the most common cause in adults over the age of 40 years. Risk factors for developing PAD include age older than 70 years, family history, smoking, diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and homocysteinemia.

Symptoms develop when the metabolic demand of tissues is greater than vessels are able to deliver. Most patients with PAD are asymptomatic. In those who develop symptoms, look for extremity pain with activity that is relieved with rest (claudication), limb ischemia with the development of ulcers or gangrenous lesions, or critical acute limb ischemia leading to pallor, pulselessness, paresthesia, and poikilothermia.

Atherosclerosis is a type of arteriosclerosis that can lead to narrowing of blood vessels. When atherosclerotic plaques involve 70%-80% of the luminal diameter, blood flow may become limited, particularly during times of physical exertion and increased demand. Plaque rupture may cause occlusion of coronary vessels or cerebrovascular vessels, leading to ischemia and infarction that present as myocardial infarctions and strokes, respectively.

Codes

ICD10CM:
I73.9 – Peripheral vascular disease, unspecified

SNOMEDCT:
399957001 – Peripheral arterial occlusive disease

Look For

Subscription Required

Diagnostic Pearls

Subscription Required

Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls

To perform a comparison, select diagnoses from the classic differential

Subscription Required

Best Tests

Subscription Required

Management Pearls

Subscription Required

Therapy

Subscription Required

Drug Reaction Data

Subscription Required

References

Subscription Required

Last Reviewed:04/23/2019
Last Updated:09/11/2019
Copyright © 2024 VisualDx®. All rights reserved.
Patient Information for Peripheral arterial disease
Print E-Mail Images (12)
Contributors: Medical staff writer
Premium Feature
VisualDx Patient Handouts
Available in the Elite package
  • Improve treatment compliance
  • Reduce after-hours questions
  • Increase patient engagement and satisfaction
  • Written in clear, easy-to-understand language. No confusing jargon.
  • Available in English and Spanish
  • Print out or email directly to your patient
Copyright © 2024 VisualDx®. All rights reserved.
Peripheral arterial disease
A medical illustration showing key findings of Peripheral arterial disease : Claudication, Muscle cramp, Pallor, Skin ulceration, Lower limb pain, Limb weakness
Clinical image of Peripheral arterial disease - imageId=1020685. Click to open in gallery.  caption: 'Dependent rubor (suffusion and erythema of the foot) in a patient with peripheral arterial disease.'
Dependent rubor (suffusion and erythema of the foot) in a patient with peripheral arterial disease.
Copyright © 2024 VisualDx®. All rights reserved.