Peripheral Arterial Disease
Cardiovascular · ~11% of blueprint- Pathophysiology
- Atherosclerotic stenosis of peripheral (esp. lower-limb) arteries → ↓ perfusion. Same risk factors as CAD; smoking & diabetes are strongest.
- Signs & Symptoms
- Intermittent claudication (calf pain with walking, relieved by rest); ↓ pulses, hair loss, shiny skin, dependent rubor. Severe: rest pain, ulcers, gangrene.
- Gold Standard Diagnosis
- Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) ≤0.90. CTA/MRA for anatomy before intervention.
- First-line Treatment
- Risk-factor control (smoking cessation), supervised exercise, antiplatelet + statin; cilostazol for symptoms; revascularize critical limb ischemia.
High-Yield Pearl
ABI ≤0.90 is diagnostic. PAD is a marker of systemic atherosclerosis → high MI/stroke risk; treat the whole patient.
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Sources
Reviewed September 2026- 2024 ACC/AHA Multisociety Guideline for the Management of Lower Extremity Peripheral Artery Disease — ACC/AHA multisociety, 2024
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